f 


Sibrarij  of 
(Il]e  Unirersiti}  of  Hortl]  (Carolina 


C  O  L  L  K  C  TI  O  X     O  F 

NORTH    CAROLINIANA 


K  N  D  O  W  ED      BY 


JOHN     SPRUNT     HILL 
of  the  class  of  1889 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00017475411 


^*5 


This  BOOK  may  be  kept  out  TWO  WEEKS 
ONLY,  and  is  subject  to  a  fine  of  FIVE 
CENTS  a  day  thereafter.  It  was  taken  out  on 
Lhe  day  indicated  below: 


/ 


The   Daughter   of  Virginia  Dare 


The 
Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 


By 

Mary  Virginia  Wall 


New  York  and  Washington 

The  Neale  Publishing  Company 


1908 


Copyright,  1908,  by 
Mary  Virginia  Wall 


.     TO 

My  Mother,  Virginia 

AND 

My  Grandmother,  England 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  VIRGINIA 

DARE 

PRELUDE 

The  sunbeams  were  playing  hide  and 
seek  with  the  ripples  aronnd  the  prows 
of  three  small  vessels  lying  at  anchor  in  the 
harbor  of  Portsmouth.  Their  decks  were 
crowded  with  the  colonists  going  to  seek 
a  home  on  the  soil  of  Virginia.  On  the 
wharf  all  was  bustle  and  confusion.  The 
songs  of  the  sailors  loading  the  vessels 
with  the  goods  of  the  voyagers  mingled  with 
the  whip  and  snap  of  the  sails  as  they  were 
given  to  the  breeze. 

At  last  the  creaking  of  the  capstan  as 
the  anchors  were  hoisted  on  board  sounded 
the  warning  note  of  departure.  Leading  the 
diminutive  fleet  was  the  good  ship  Admiral, 
having  as  her  master  Simon  Ferdinando. 
Closely  in  her  wake  followed  a  pinnace  and 
a  flyboat,  and  from  the  masthead  of  all 
three  fluttered  the  English  flag.  They  were 
not  to  leave  England,  however,  until  they 
had  stopped  at  two  of  her  ports  on  their 
way  out. 


10        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare. 

For  eight  days  they  tarried  at  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  and  two  more  in  the  harbor 
of  Plymouth.  As  they  sailed  out  of 
this  quaint  old  harbor  the  balmy  air  of 
May  wafted  the  fragrant  farewell  of  the 
hawthorn  blossoms  even  to  the  water's 
edge. 

**How  hard  it  is  to  bid  farewell  to  home 
and  friends  and  turn  my  face  to  this  un- 
known land/'  said  Eleanor  Dare  to  herself 
as  she  stood  on  the  deck  of  the  Admiral. 
**  There  is  a  strange  fear  welling  up  in  my 
heart  as  if  some  unknown  shadow  were 
falling  upon  us. 

**But  I  must  not  even  breathe  such  a 
thought  to  my  husband,  it  would  dampen 
the  hope  of  home  and  fortune  which  is 
buo^dng  him  up.  I  must  rather  cheer  and 
encourage  him ;  I  must  hide  the  heart  sick- 
ness, and  leave  our  future  in  the  hands  of 
God.'' 

Fainter  and  fainter  grew  the  outlines 
of  old  England's  shores,  until  only  the 
dim  bluffs  of  Cornwall,  like  a  mirage, 
lay  on  the  horizon.  As  Eleanor  Dare 
strained  her  eyes  to  catch  the  last  glimpse 
before  the  curve  of  the  earth  hid  them  from 
view,  her  husband  drew  her  to  him. 

^^Dear  heart,  turn  your  eyes  to  the  west, 
to  home  and  happiness.     See  how  the  sun 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare.         11 

is  making  a  pathway  of  light  for  our  ship. 
Is  it  not  a  good  omen?" 

She  smiled  up  into  his  face  bravely  and 
was  rewarded  by  a  look  of  love  and 
reverence. 

^'You  know,  my  husband,  that  my  home 
is  in  your  heart." 

Skirting  southward  for  seven  days  the 
little  fleet  came  into  the  Bay  of  Portugal, 
where  they  took  on  a  supply  of  fresh  water 
for  the  long  journey  to  the  West  Indies. 
Ferdinando,  the  master  of  the  Admiral, 
gave  secret  orders  to  the  captains  of  his 
ship  and  the  jDinnace  to  set  sail  at  the  com- 
ing of  night.  No  such  commands  reached 
the  little  flyboat.  Basely  deserting  her,  the 
Admiral  turned  his  prows  to  the  south- 
west. 

For  two  long  months  the  frail  ships 
tossed  on  the  troubled  waters  of  the  Atlan- 
tic. Only  the  sullen  swish  of  the  waves  and 
the  scream  of  the  seagull  broke  in  on 
Eleanor  Dare's  reveries. 

Fragrant  June  was  waning,  when  she 
saw  the  waving  palms  and  orange  groves 
of  Santa  Cruz  rising  beyond  the  foam- 
capped  billows.  Just  before  the  ships 
reached  this  island  of  gorgeous  bloom  from 
the  lookout  at  the  masthead  rang  the  cry, 
'  ^  Sail  ho ! "  and,  ploughing  her  way  through 


12        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

the  choppy  sea,  there  came  the  courageous 
little  flyboat.  For,  undaunted  by  ignorance 
of  the  trackless  waste  and  by  the  base 
desertion  of  the  admiral  in  command,  she 
had  pluckily  followed  her  consort. 

No  sooner  had  they  landed  than  the 
merry  laughter  and  joyous  shouts  of  the 
little  children  filled  the  air  as  they  chased 
the  crimson  and  gold  butterflies  sipping 
hone}^  from  the  orchids  which  hung  from 
the  tall  fern  trees.  No  cares  or  longing 
troubled  their  light  hearts,  but  their  parents 
were  eager  to  reach  their  new  home,  so 
the  sails  were  again  spread. 

tF  tt  tP 

July  had  numbered  twenty-two  days 
when  the  vessels  came  in  sight  of  a  long 
fringe  of  islands  guarded  by  dangerous 
reefs.  The  white  foam  of  the  breakers 
tossed  high  in  the  air  and  the  moan  of  the 
surf  filled  the  children  with  fear. 

Down  rattled  the  anchor  of  the  Admiral, 
and  the  sails  were  close-furled,  as  the  pin- 
nace came  alongside  to  take  the  colony 
through  the  dangerous  entry  to  Roanoke 
Island.  Safely  passing  through  the  hungry 
mouth  of  Trinity  harbor,  they  glided  into 
the  quiet  waters  of  the  Occam. 

Would  the  fifteen  men  left  by  Sir  Richard 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         13 

Greenville  come  to  meet  them?  A  loud 
halloo  brought  back  no  answering  hail. 

''We  must  search  for  them/^  said  Gov- 
ernor White.  ''Perhaps  they  are  farther 
inland. ' ' 

As  the  pinnace  grounded  her  nose  the 
Anglican  priest  stepped  on  the  land,  bear- 
ing aloft  the  Sign  of  Redemption.  Around 
his  feet  were  grouped  the  children,  their 
tiny  hands  clasped  together,  and  guarded 
by  a  circle  of  kneeling  men  and  women. 
Deep  and  fervent  was  the  thanksgiving 
prayer,  and  clear  and  sweet  came  the  chant 
of  the  amen. 

Rising  from  their  knees  they  eagerly 
explored  the  land  around  them.  A  living 
landscape,  vivid  and  beautiful,  lay  spread 
before  their  eyes.  Great  yellow  pines  like 
the  masts  of  ships  towered  above  them. 
Cedars,  the  rivals  of  Lebanon,  mingled 
their  branches  with  the  live  oak,  tulip,  and 
walnut  trees,  while  closer  to  mother  earth 
clung  the  sassafras  and  witch  hazel.  Scup- 
pernong  grapes  flung  their  vines,  loaded 
with  ripening  fruit,  from  limb  to  limb  of 
the  copper  beeches  and  bathed  their  trailing 
branches  in  the  brinv  waters  of  the  Oc- 
cam. 

Dotted  all  around  were  the  log-cabins 
left  by  the  previous  settlers.     Melon  vines 


14        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

with  luscious  fruits  festooned  the  windows 
and  carpeted  the  floors,  and  in  their  open 
doors  stood  the  startled  deer  poised  for 
flight.  The  gardens  were  overgrown  in 
weeds  and  fences  were  broken  down.  The 
little  children  ran  hither  and  thither  chas- 
ing the  '*Lazy  Lawrence''  as  it  danced  in 
the  sun,  and  over  all  hung  the  langorous  air 
of  July,  steeped  in  the  fragrance  of  blos- 
soming jasmine  and  magnolia. 

Soon  the  bright  blades  of  the  axes  made 
flashes  in  the  sun,  and  down  came  the  pine, 
filling  the  air  with  the  perfume  of  its 
crushed  needles.  Manv  another  cabin  was 
added  to  the  ''City  of  Raleigh." 

Meanwhile,  a  party  headed  by  Governor 
White  had  searched  the  island  for  the  miss- 
ing men.  Far  in  the  heart  of  the  forest 
they  came  upon  their  bleaching  skeletons, 
and  they  decently  interred  them. 

Eleanor  Dare  chose  the  cedar  cabin, 
which  Lane  had  used,  as  a  home  for  her- 
self and  her  husband,  and  she  occupied  her- 
self busily  in  transforming  its  interior  into 
a  restful  abiding-place;  in  one  corner  was 
a  mahogany  chest  with  shining  brass 
handles ;  over  the  wide  fireplace  hung  a  bit 
of  landscape  of  her  girlhood's  home;  and 
the  pewter  plates  upon  the  dresser  reflected 
the  dancing  flames  leaping  up  the  chimney. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  15 

In  the  center  of  the  room  stood  a  table  of 
English  oak. 

One  evening  the  table  was  spread  for  the 
evening  meal,  and  now  and  then  Eleanor 
Dare  paused  at  the  window  to  watch  the 
swaying  of  the  wonderful  gray  moss  drap- 
ing the  mighty  live-oaks. 

As  she  bent  over  the  fire  stirring  the  con- 
tents of  a  copper  kettle  hanging  on  the 
crane,  her  husband  entered  and  gently 
chided  her  for  too  much  exertion. 

^  ^  Come  rest  beside  me  on  the  settle,  dear 
heart,  and  let  us  talk  of  the  future.  Soon 
your  tender  hands  will  have  new  duties  to 
perform, ''  and  sitting  side  by  side  they 
talked  together  as  the  twilight  shadows  fell. 

*     *     * 

In  the  hush  of  the  August  morn,  just 
as  the  mocking-birds  chanted  ^'The  Crea- 
tion,'' a  tiny  babe— a  babe  with  Eleanor's 
eyes— nestled  in  the  hollow  of  Eleanor 
Dare's  arm.  Her  husband  bending  over 
her  mingled  his  kisses  with  the  Magnificat 
breathing  on  her  lips,  and  soon  came  the 
women  of  the  colony  to  inciuire  after 
mother  and  child  and  offer  their  congratu- 
lations to  the  happy  father. 

Little  children,  peeping  in  at  the  door  of 


16         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

the  cabin,  shyly  laid  their  offering  of  red 
clover  and  honeysuckle  upon  the  sill.  Many 
were  the  questions  they  asked  of  the  smiling 
father  of  the  new-born  babe. 

''Is  it  a  boy  or  a  girl/'  asked  Ambrose 
Viccars. 

''I'm  glad  it  is  a  girl,"  said  tiny  Robert 
Ellis.  "There  will  be  somebody  to  play 
with  me.  Can  she  talk  and  eat?  How  soon 
will  she  be  able  to  play  Puss  in  Corner  1 ' ' 

Seven  days  had  the  little  babe  lain  on 
her  mother's  breast,  and  on  the  eighth  day 
she  was  to  be  christened.  The  Sunday  sun 
shed  its  gorgeous  rays  over  the  simple 
church,  where  the  priest,  clad  in  surplice 
and  stole,  awaited  her  coming.  With  the 
babe  went  Manteo  of  the  Croatans,  the 
faithful  friend  of  the  English,  for  he  too 
was  to  receive  baptism  as  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh  had  commanded. 

Hither  had  come  the  men  of  the  colony 
clad  in  brightly  hued  doublet  and  hose, 
their  wives  and  sisters  wearing  gowns 
with  long  pointed  stomachers  and  high 
standing  ruffs.  Near  the  door  was  Win- 
ginia  and  his  Catawbas,  their  long  scalp- 
locks  decorated  with  the  feathers  of  the 
eagle.  Grouped  around  the  white-robed 
pastor  stood  Governor  White,  Roger  Bailey 
and  Joyce  Archer,   sponsors  for  Manteo. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  17 

Behind  them  was  Ananias  Dare  holding  his 
little  daughter. 

Rising  from  his  knees  with  the  conse- 
crated drops  still  glistening  on  his  brow, 
Manteo  turned  to  Dare  and  said: 

''I  too  am  a*  follower  of  the  God  of  the 
English.  The  totem  of  His  tribe  is  tattooed 
on  my  brow.  Let  me  hold  the  little  pale 
face  to  be  received  into  the  tribe. '^ 

^ '  Joyfully  will  I  give  her  into  your  keep- 
ing/' replied  her  father.  ^^She  shall  be 
as  your  daughter, ' '  and  he  placed  the  babe 
in  his  arms. 

Then  came  the  sonorous  voice  of  the 
priest : 

^^  Virginia,  I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of 
the  Father  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holv 

ft/ 

Ghost.  We  receive  this  child  inta  the  con- 
gregation of  Christ 's  flock,  and  do  sign  her 
with  the  sign  of  the  cross,  in  token  that 
hereafter  she  shall  not  be  ashamed  to  own 
Christ  crucified,  and  manfully  to  fight  under 
His  banner  against  sin,  the  world,  and  the 
devil,  and  to  continue  Christ's  faithful 
soldier  and  servant  unto  her  life's  end. 
Amen. ' ' 

Then  reverently  he  gave  her  back  into 
the  Indian's  keeping. 

Forth  stalked  Manteo  into  the  sunlight 
with  the  little  Virginia  held  close  in  his 


18         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

armSj  and  went  straightway  to  the  bedside 
of  Eleanor  Dare. 

^^I  have  brought  yon  the  little  papoose. 
The  Great  Spirit  has  bound  us  together, 
and  dear  shall  she  be  to  Manteo  as  the 
ruddy  drops  of  his'hearf 

*     *     * 

But  all  was  not  well  with  the  '  *  City  of 
Raleigh.''  Food  and  supplies  which  the 
country  did  not  as  yet  produce  were  needed. 
Some  one  must  go  back  to  the  mother 
country  for  them.  When  it  came  to  select- 
ing a  proper  person  no  one  wished  to  go. 
One  and  all  they  urged  Grovernor  \A^ite 
to  go  as  the  one  most  fitting  to  represent 
their  needs,  to  take  the  task  upon  himself. 
He  too  was  unwilling  to  leave. 

*  ^  Men  will  say  that  with  fair  words  I  have 
enticed  you  to  this  land,  and  now  in  your 
need  desert  you  and  leave  you  to  face  the 
the  enmity  of  the  Indians." 

But  the  pleadings  of  the  colony  finally 
prevailed,  and  with  a  heavy  heart  he  con- 
sented to  go. 

*^Keep  strict  watch'  and  ward  while  I 
am  gone.  I  do  not  like  the  sullen  look  of 
Winginia  and  his  Catawbas.  It  is  but  a 
few  weeks  since  George  Howe's  mangled 
body  was  found  some  two  miles  distant. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         19 

Winginia  took  his  life  in  revenge  of  the 
cruel  treatment  of  Ealph  Lane's  men.  If 
you  abandon  this  settlement,  as  we  have 
purposed  doing,  carve  the  name  of  your 
destination  upon  a  tree  or  post.  If  danger 
threatens,  place  a  cross  above  the  name/' 

He  kissed  his  daughter,  and  taking  the 
little  Virginia  in  his  arms,  gave  the  child 
his  blessing. 

Standing  on  the  beach  with  her  baby  at 
her  breast,  Eleanor  Dare  waved  a  last  f  are> 
well  to  the  father  whom  she  was  never  to 
see  again. 

^*  'TF  'fr 

After  a  voyage  beset  with  one  accident 
after  another.  Governor  White  arrived  in 
England,  only  to  find  himself  caught  in  the 
maelstrom  of  war. 

Under  Her  Sovereign  Majesty  Elizabeth, 
England  was  rising  to  a  position  where  she 
would  soon  be  a  formidable  rival  to  the 
countries  of  Europe.  Her  ships  had  pene- 
trated to  the  Wliite  Sea  of  Northern  Russia ; 
the  dusky  tribes  of  Guinea  traveled  many 
miles  through  the  tropical  forests  of  the 
Soudan  to  sell  their  ivory  and  gold  to  the 
trading  vessels  of  England.  Antwerp  and 
Bruges  merchants  settled  in  London,  there- 
by transferring  much  of  the  trade  of  India 
and  the  Far  East  from  Flanders  to  Eng- 


20         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

land;  and  Sir  Francis  Drake  had  circum- 
navigated the  globe. 

Not  only  had  commercial  enterprise  filled 
the  coffers  of  Elizabeth,  but  the  nntilled 
recesses  of  men's  minds  were  beginning  to 
flower  again. 

Sir  Philip  Sidney  had  enriched  the  world 
with  his  Arcadia,  and  immortal  sonnets. 
Edmund  Spenser  was  fighting  out  the  battle 
between  good  and  evil  in  his  Faerie  Queen, 
and  Francis  Bacon  was  delving  into  the 
secrets  of  nature. 

Behind  the  fame  of  commercial  enter- 
prise and  the  glory  of  the  Literary  Renais- 
sance loomed  the  struggle  with  Philip  of 
Spain.  He  was  burning  with  the  desire  to 
crush  the  power  of  Elizabeth  and  to  revenge 
the  death  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots.  Already 
the  Spanish  Armada  was  hovering  oif  the 
coasts  of  England. 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh  tried  ineffectually  to 
obtain  ships  for  Governor  White,  and  even 
succeeded  in  fitting  out  two  which  were 
later  seized  and  impressed  into  service. 
Every  bark  and  pinnace  was  needed  to  keep 
Philip  and  the  Inquisition  out  of  England. 
No  one  had  time  to  remember  the  colonists 
shut  away  in  Virginia,  for  all  were  watch- 
ing Sir  Francis  Drake  and  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh  scuttle  the  Spanish  galleons. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         21 

About  a  month  after  Governor  White 
sailed  away  a  wasting  sickness  broke  out 
among  the  colonists  in  Virginia.  The 
fields  lay  untilled  and  the  corn  and  vege- 
tables withered  up  under  the  hot  breath 
of  the  sun.  No  drop  of  water  fell  to  cool 
the  parched  earth;  daily  the  store  of  food 
dwindled  away. 

Graunt  starvation  stalked  through  the 
island,  and  in  his  footsteps  crept  Winginia 
and  his  Catawbas. 

At  length  Eleanor  Dare's  husband  fell 
ill  and  lay  dying. 

"0  dear  heart,  my  soul  is  filled  with 
anguish  when  I  think  of  leaving  you  and 
the  child, ' '  he  moaned.  ^  ^  Wlio  will  protect 
my  defenceless  ones !  Look  again  from  the 
window.  Is  there  no  sail  in  sight?  Noth- 
ing! And  my  strength  is  ebbing  fast.  Put 
the  little  one  beside  me  that  I  may  kiss 
her. ' ' 

^^My  husband,  let  us  put  our  trust  in 
God,  and  help  me  say,  '  Though  He  slay  me, 
yet  I  will  trust  him. '  It  will  be  but  a  little 
while  before  Virginia  and  I  will  join  you. 
There  is  no  ending  to  our  love.  Can  you 
hear  me,  dear  one ! ' '    Then  came  a  cry : 

^'0  my  Father,  the  light  has  gone  out  of 
his  eyes  and  his  lips  are  dumb ! ' ' 

Sinking  beside   his   body,   she   swooned 


22 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare- 


away,  while  the  wonderfilled  eyes  of  baby 
Virginia  gazed  long  and  gravely  on  the 
pallid  face  of  her  dead  father. 

Regaining  consciousness,  Eleanor  feebly 
raised  herself  and  tried  to  perform  the  last 
duties  for  her  dead.  Through  the  long 
night  that  followed  she  watched  by  his  side. 
Lovingly  and  gently  she  talked  to  him  of 
the  happy  past,  caressed  his  cold  face,  and 
smoothed  back  the  hair  lying  upon  his  brow. 

^'No  priest  is  left,  dear,  to  bless  you  as 
you  go  on  your  long  journey,  but  you  shall 
not  lack.  Faithful  in  life,  I  shall  be  faitli- 
ful  in  death.  The  pitying  Father  will  give 
me  strength  for  this  last  duty.  Soon  we 
shall  be  together  again,  even  as  we  now 
are  in  spirit.'' 

On  the  following  day  the  body  of  her 
husband  was  laid  to  rest  and  Eleanor,  with 
unearthly  calm,  read  the  burial  service. 


# 


Day  after  day  passed  and  few  were  left 
to  answer  the  roll  call.  Only  one  hope  lay 
between  the  colonists  and  starvation.  Per- 
haps the  Croatans,  their  faithful  friends, 
had  some  corn  left  and  would  share  it  with 
them.    Manteo  would  go  and  ask  for  food. 

As  the  sickly  sun  sank  to  rest  on  the 
colonists  crawled  to  the  beach  and  turned 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         23 

fourth  day  after  Manteo^s  departure,  the 
their  faces  to  the  south  to  watch  for  his 
coming. 

Presently  his  canoe  rounded  a  bend  in  the 
stream.  Fear  gripped  their  hearts  as  they 
watched  his  bowed  form.  Every  now  and 
then  his  paddle  churned  the  water  into 
foam,  and  then  relapsed  into  idleness.  As 
his  canoe  touched  the  beach  they  saw  that 
it  was  empty. 

Stepping  on  the  shore  he  paused  before 
them.  Then  fell  an  awful  silence  as  they 
looked  upon  his  face.  In  that  face  Chris- 
tianity and  primeval  passion  were  waging 
deadly  warfare.  The  zigzag  lightning  shot 
from  his  eyes,  and  his  voice  was  as  the  mut- 
tering thunder  dying  away  in  the  distance. 
Finally  he  spoke: 

"Listen,  O  brother  of  the  Rising  Sun, 

To   the    woeful   tale  of   Manteo. 

Down  the  sparkling  waters  of  the  Occam 

Leaped  the  bounding  canoe ; 

All  night  the  paddles  made  music 

On  this  side  and  on  that ; 

Joy  sang  in  the  breast  of  the  'real  man' 

As  he  thought  of  the  corn  for  the  pale  face. 

The  smiling  island   of  Croatan 

Beckoned    him    onward    and    onward; 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  Manteo 

^To  the  home  of  his  tribe  and  his  father. 

Why  curled  not  the  serpent  of  smoke 

Up  from  the  wigwam  of  bark? 


24        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Why  came  not  his  brethren  to  greet  him 
As  he  stepped  on  the  sandy  shore? 
The  leaping  fire  of  fear 
Burnt  to  ashes  on  his   lips. 
There  the  moccasin  of  Winginia 
Had  left  its  picture  in  the  sand. 
In   the   heart   of   the    sheltered   island 
Lay  the  speechless  lips  of  his  people. 
No  more  will  the  shout  of  the  Croatans 
Rock   the    somber   leaves    of   the    cedars. 
Only   Manteo  is   left  as   an   echo 
Of  all  their  greatness  and  glory." 

No  moan  from  the  colonists  answered 
the  lament  of  Manteo.  They  had  drunk  to 
the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  sorrow.  Eyes  in 
which  the  light  of  hope  had  been  frozen 
into  stony  despair  gazed  out  upon  the  east- 
ern horizon,  but  no  sail  broke  the  blank 
expanse  of  water. 

*     *     ^ 

Night  had  put  on  her  robe  of  black  vel- 
vet and  the  stars  had  embroidered  it  in 
arabesques  of  silver,  when  Eleanor  Dare 
laid  her  head  on  her  pillow  and  drew  Vir- 
ginia to  her  breast. 

Soon  the  hamlet  was  hushed  in  sleep; 
only  the  booming  waves  and  the  step  of 
the  starving  sentinel  broke  the  stillness. 
Exhausted,  he  finally  sank  to  the  ground 
and  sleep  overpowered  him. 

Then  long  shadows  flitted  from  tree  to 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         25 

tree,  and  on  the  breath  of  the  night  rose 
the  death-cry  of  the  Catawbas.  Bearded 
men  fell  like  corn  before  the  sickle  and  the 
agonized  cry  of  the  women  was  crushed 
in  their  throats.  Flames  from  the  burning 
cabins  threw  the  ghastly  scene  into  bold 
relief. 

Eleanor's  cabin  was  untouched  as  yet  by 
the  flames.  In  its  door  stood  Manteo,  fight- 
ing for  her  life  and  that  of  the  child,  when 
swift  as  a  swallow  came  the  arrow  of  Win- 
ginia  and  sucked  the  lifeblood  from  his 
loval  heart. 

^' Spare  the  squaw  and  her  papoose," 
said  Winginia.  '^They  shall  be  slaves  in 
memory  of  the  wrong  done  us  in  the  past. 
We  will  take  them  to  Croatan,  our  con- 
quered island.  Bind  the  squaw  to  the  live 
oak  yonder  and  place  the  papoose  upon  her 
lap.  We  will  sleep  until  the  daylight 
comes." 

Through  the  rest  of  the  night  Eleanor 
Dare  worked  desperately,  and  succeeded 
finally  in  loosening  the  thongs  enough 
to  free  one  hand  and  slightly  twist  her 
body. 

In  the  cold  gray  of  the  morning  she  took 
a  knife  from  her  pocket,  and  low  down  on 
the  trunk  of  the  oak  carved  the  word 
^'Croatoan"   in  Eoman  letters.     Just   as 


26         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare. 

she  raised  her  hand  to  add  the  cross,  Win- 
ginia  stood  over  her. 

*^Hold  thy  hand,  thou  pale-face  squaw! 
Darest  thou  call  down  the  anger  of  Okee 
upon  usT'  and  he  sank  his  tomahawk  into 

her  brain. 

*     *     * 

Then  rose  the  wail  of  the  only  English 
being  upon  American  soil,  the  cry  of  the 
little  Virginia.  The  echoes  took  up  the 
sound  and  sent  it  reverberating  from  the 
flowery  banks  of  Roanoke  to  the  ice-bound 
shores  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  from  the 
rounded  tops  of  the  Appalachians  to  the 
beetling  crags  of  the  Rockies. 

'^Thou  too  shall  follow  thy  kindred,'' 
said  Winginia,  and  again  the  tomahawk  was 
raised  aloft. 

A  smile  broke  through  the  April  tears 
upon  the  baby's  cheek  as  she  held  out  her 
wasted  arms  to  him.  Slowly  the  tomahawk 
sank  to  the  ground.  The  angel  of  God 
stayed  the  hand  of  the  destroyer.  Bending, 
he  lifted  the  baby  from  the  groimd. 

Soon  the  scooped  paddles  sent  the  canoes 
swiftly  down  to  Croatan.  Only  the  waves 
were  left  to  chant  a  requiem  over  the  ^ '  City 
of  the  Dead." 

^*  "T^  "W 

Three  years  had  passed  when  Governor 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare,         27 

White  came  again  to  Roanoke  to  seek  his 
daughter  and  her  child.  As  the  boat 
neared  the  shore  he  saw  a  colmnn  of  smoke 
rising  above  the  trees  on  the  north  end  of 
the  island,  some  distance  away  from  the 
settlement  of  the  colonists.  His  heart  beat 
joyfully  as  he  pictured  the  meeting  with 

his  loved  ones. 

4^     #     # 

Quickly  landing,  he  made  for  the  place 
where  he  had  seen  the  smoke,  but  no  one 
was  there.  A  few  smoldering  embers  (left 
by  some  Indians  who  had  fled  on  hearing 
the  booming  of  the  cannon  on  the  Admiral) 
sputtered  and  fmned. 

^  ^  Sound  a  signal  blast  upon  the  trumpet,  '"^ 
said  White  to  his  men. 

Over  the  stillness  rang  out  the  clarion 
notes,  but  no  answering  shout  came  back. 

'^Eleanor!"  called  her  father  in  plead- 
ing accents.  ^^El-e-a-nor!''  answered  the 
hills  in  melancholv  reiteration. 

^^As  we  tramp  down  to  the  settlement 
we  will  sing  some  of  the  old  English  songs. 
Perhaps  they  will  reach  their  hearts.'^ 

Weary  and  footsore  they  continued  their 
search,  raising  their  voices  at  intervals  in 
some  sweet  old  English  song  they  had  sung 
in  childhood. 

At  length  they  arrived  at  the  ^^City  of 


28         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Raleigh."  Nature,  abhorring  disfigure- 
ment, had  brought  down  sand  from  the 
mainland  and  covered  the  charred  remains 
of  the  colonists,  and  had  painted  the  ground 
in  great  purple  violets  and  crimson  poppies, 
whose  roots  sucked  sustenance  from  the 
noble  and  brave  ones  sleeping  below. 

Hunting  for  some  clew,  the  despairing 
father  came  upon  the  name  which  his 
daughter  had  carved  upon  the  oak.  Stand- 
ing in  the  violets  above  her,  he  deciphered 
the  word  ^'Croatoan''  low  down  upon  its 
trunk. 

^'God  be  praised,  they  are  alive!"  he 
said  joyfully.  '^Doubtless  they  have  gone 
with  Manteo  to  his  home  in  Croatan.  On 
the  morrow  we  will  seek  them  there.  My 
heart  gives  thanks,  for  no  cross  is  carved 
above  the  name.  Now  we  must  hasten  to 
embark,  for  the  clouds  are  banking  up  and 
foul  weather  will  soon  be  upon  us. ' ' 

All  night  the  storm  raged,  tearing  the 
anchors  from  their  hold  and  beating  the 
ships  out  to  sea.  Having  been  unable  to 
bring  casks  of  fresh  water  aboard  on 
account  of  the  gale,  and  food  supplies  run- 
ning low,  the  voyagers  determined  to  make 
for  the  island  of  St.  John,  and  when  prop- 
erly provisioned,  come  again  to  Croatan. 

After  a  perilous  voyage  they  arrived  at 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  29 

the  island  of  St.  George,  where  the  dis- 
heartened sailors,  wearied  out  by  the  loss 
of  some  of  their  men,  and  lacking  food, 
refused  to  brave  the  perilous  reefs  around 
Croatan  again,  and  insisted  on  sailing  for 
England.  AVhite's  pleadings  were  stub- 
bornly resisted.  He  was  forced  to  give  in 
and  they  sailed  for  England. 

Meanwhile,  what  had  become  of  little 
Virginia  whom  Winginia  had  taken  cap- 
tive? 

Carried  to  conquered  Croatan,  she  was 
placed  in  the  keeping  of  the  women.  What 
a  strange  little  one  had  been  brought  to 
them  to  mother!  Baby  ringlets  of  sunny 
brown,  skin  like  the  petals  of  a  lily  formed 
a  frame  out  of  which  looked  eyes  like  pools 
of  water  on  a  cloudy  day  when  the  shadows 
drift  over  them.  Her  appealing  eyes  and 
tender  baby  ways  wound  themselves  around 
the  heartstrings  of  the  squaws,  and  they 
vied  with  each  other  in  making  dainty 
moccasins  for  her  little  pink  feet.  Daily 
she  Was  bathed  in  the  cold  waters  of  the 
sound  and  her  body  smeared  in  paints  and 
ointment.  Outwardly  she  became  an  Indian 
girl,  the  Water  Lily  of  the  Catawbas. 

Every    year,    as    winter    came    on,    the 


'"^O         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Catawbas  journeyed  back  to  Dismongue- 
peuc,  their  home  on  the  mainland  west  of 
the  island  of  Roanoke. 

Here  and  there  flitted  the  Virginia  Water 
Lily,  now  watching  the  men  burn  out  the 
poj)lar  logs  for  canoes  and  bend  the  witch 
hazel  branches  into  bows,  now  searching  for 
flint  stones  to  be  sharpened  into  arrow 
heads.  She  talks  with  the  birds  of  the  for- 
ests and  with  the  cranes  by  the  water 
side.  She  knew  the  secret  of  the  plants 
with  healing  in  their  leaves. 

Day  by  day  her  influence  over  the  tribe 
grew  stronger.  Did  she  possess  some  invis- 
ible power!  Her  voice  alone  could  soothe 
the  savage  outbursts  of  Winginia's  wrath 
and  cause  him  to  spare  the  culprit. 

It  was  written  in  the  book  of  destinv 
that  she  should  repay  the  debt  of  life  she 
owed  Winginia. 

He  had  fallen  upon  the  Tuscaroras,  hop- 
ing to  exterminate  them  as  he  had  done  the 
Croatans,  but  this  time  the  fortunes  of  war 
were  against  him.  His  warriors  came  back 
bringing  their  chief  grievously  wounded  by 
a  poisoned  arrow.  They  laid  him  in  his 
house  of  poles  and  bark,  and  the  medicine 
men  in  all  their  hideous  paint  and  feathers 
came  to  chant  their  incantations. 

The  tender  heart  of  the  Virginia  Water 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  31 

Lily  ached  to  see  the  stoical  Wingiuia  suf- 
fer. Kneeling  by  his  side,  she  bared  the 
wound,  and  placing  her  soft  lips  upon  it, 
sucked  the  poison  out.  Soon  health  and 
strength  returned  to  him. 

Day  by  day  she  roved  the  forest ;  but  she 
loved  best  the  springtime  when  the  Cataw- 
bas  went  to  Croatan  for  the  herring  fishing. 
Her  nimble  fingers  sharpened  the  poles 
that  were  to  spear  the  gleaming  herring,  or 
fashioned  the  weirs  of  rushes  to  catch  the 
fish. 

For  hours  she  would  sit  on  the  beach  and 
gaze  across  the  vast  waste  of  waters.  Then 
a  longing  for  something  she  could  not 
understand  caused  her  breast  to  heave  and 
sink,  but  no  distinct  recollection  of  mother 
or  father  remained  to  her.  Sometimes  a 
voice  crooning  a  few  notes  of  melody  would 
float  across  her  memory  but  it  was  gone  in 
an  instant. 

Twelve  times  she  had  seen  the  Indian 
maidens  hunt  for  the  red  ear  amona:  the 
corn.  A  blush  mantled  her  cheek  when  she 
thought  that  at  the  next  harvest  she  too 
would  join  in  the  search. 

Already  the  eyes  of  the  bravest  youth 
among  the  warriors  had  marked  her  for 
his  own.  Many  a  time  he  had  given  her  the 
seat  next  the  fire  when  the  icicles  rattled 


32         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

on  the  branches  of  the  trees,  and  she  felt 
that  she  would  gladv  go  to  the  wigwam 
of  Ensinore  the  Swift  One. 

•^  tP  ^r 

Spring  had  come !  The  sap  was  rising 
in  the  veins  of  the  trees  and  the  blood  of 
the  Indian  answered  the  call.  It  was  time 
to  be  on  the  warpath. 

Far  away  on  the  Powhatan  River  the 
king  of  the  Powhatans  and  his  warriors 
w|ere  stringing  their  bows,  sharpening  their 
arrows,  and  making  their  canoes  ready  for 
a  raid  upon  Winginia  at  his  summer  home 
on  Croatan.        *• 

^^ Twenty  warriors  to  each  canoe,''  was 
the  command  of  Powhatan. 

At  lenorth  all  was  readv.  Swiftlv  the 
canoes  glided  down  the  Powhatan,  out  into 
the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  then, 
skirting  down  the  coast,  fell  upon  the 
Catawbas. 

Fiercely  and  long  the  warfare  raged. 
Finally  the  tribe  of  Powhatan  gained  the 
day,  and  carried  off  the  Virginia  Water 
Lily  as  a  captive,  over  the  dead  bod}^  of 
Ensinore. 

Many  of  Powhatan's  warriors  were 
worsted  in  their  encounter  with  the  Cataw- 
bas, so  they  proceeded  only  as  far  as 
Roanoke  Island,  where  thev  halted  for  rest. 


The  Daughter  o£  Virginia  Dare         33 

The  breezes  were  soft  from  the  ocean, 
there  were  many  deer  in  the  forest,  and 
Powhatan  lingered  there  twelve  months. 

As  he  looked  upon  the  Virginia  Water 
Lily  she  was  fairer  than  all  the  maidens 
of  his  tribe  and  a  fit  mate  for  the  grave 
and  stately  Powhatan,  then  just  in  his  man- 
hood's prime.  But  no  entreaties  or  com- 
mands could  win  a  smile  from  her,  for  the 
heart  of  the  Water  Lily  lay  in  the  grave 
of  Ensinore. 

As  the  twelfth  moon  rounded  out  its  last 
quarter  the  Water  Lily  folded  up  her  petals 
and  sank  to  sleep,  leaving  to  Powhatan  a 
little  daughter. 

A  grave  was  dug  under  an  old  and 
gnarled  tree  bearing  the  word  ^^Croatoan'^ 
carved  upon  its  trunk,  and  Virginia  Dare's 
body  rested  beside  the  bones  of  her  mother 
Eleanor. 

All  the  tenderness  of  Powhatan's  nature 
had  been  lavished  upon  the  unresponsive 
Water  Lily,  so  the  little  daughter  she  had 
left  him  became  dearer  to  him  than  all  of 
his  children. 

^'Call  her  Pocahontas,"  he  said.  '^She 
shall  be  as  a  bright  stream  between  two 
hills.  Nations  yet  unborn  and  strangers  to 
our  tribe  shall  hail  her  as  ^The  Blessed 
Pocahontas.'  " 


CHAPTER  I. 

As  night  descends  on  the  tragedy  of 
Roanoke  the  sun  is  rising  on  the  land  of 
England. 

The  victory  over  the  Spanish  Armada 
has  given  the  English  a  sense  of  security 
which  they  have  never  felt  before.  They 
have  become  a  composite  nation,  not  only 
able  to  defend  their  country  in  time  of 
invasion,  but  able  to  seek  out  Philip  in  his 
Spanish  home,  plunder  his  towns  and 
ships,  and  also  carry  on  the  subjugation  of 
Ireland  which  Henry  II.  had  begun. 

The  golden  flower  of  literature  has  burst 
into  full  bloom.  Grammar  schools  for  the 
education  of  the  masses  are  rising  all  over 
the  land.  Universities  are  diligently  study- 
ing the  classics  of  Italy  and  Greece.  Edu- 
cation is  no  more  confined  to  the  nobility, 
and  the  genius  of  the  ^^poor  scholar''  is 
giving  England  her  greatest  son,  Shake- 
speare. His  wonderful  mind  is  raising  to 
the  height  of  splendor  the  English  drama 
begun  by  Sackville  and  Marlowe.  Bacon 
is  proclaiming  the  Philosophy  of  Science 
and  Gilbert  is  investigating  the  mysteries  of 
electricity. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         35 

Action,  action  is  the  watchword  of  the 
nation. 

Elizabeth's  wars  abroad  have  depleted 
her  exchequer.  She  must  now  economize 
and  wait  for  a  more  auspicious  moment 
for  planting  a  new  colony  in  her  dominion 
of  Virginia.  But  the  Angel  of  Death  waits 
at  the  threshold,  to  carry  her  where  she  ib 
to  give  an  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body.  Elizabeth— Essex— Mary,  Queen  of 
Scots— what  did  they  have  to  say  to  each 
other  when  they  met  in  the  dim  world  of 
spirits  f  Ambition,  power,  and  the  worship- 
ing love  of  her  people  could  not  till  the 
hungry  heart  of  Elizabeth,  embittered  by 
the  perfidy  of  Leicester.  Lonely  she  lived  • 
lonely  she  died.  '  ' 

' '  The  Queen  is  dead,  long  live  the  King ! ' ' 

James  I,  son  of  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots, 
sits  on  the  throne,  while  Sir  Walter  Ealeigh 
the  ' '  shepherd  of  the  ocean, ' '  lies  a  prisoner 
m  the  Tower  of  London,  spending  his  last 
days  m  an  effort  for  the  good  of  mankind- 
he  is  writing  his  History  of  the  World. 

Shadows,  which  the  glory  of  Elizabeth's 
reign  had  hitherto  hid,  are  overcastino- 
the  sky  of  England.  Thousands  of  dis" 
banded  soldiers  are  returning  home  from 
the  wars.  The  farmers  have  abandoned 
agriculture   and   taken   to   sheep    raising 


36         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Everywhere  there  is  distress.  Is  there 
nothing  for  the  unemployed  to  do! 

Yes,  God  has  opened  the  land  of  Virginia. 

New  hope  and  energy  spring  into  life  and 
culminate  in  the  formation  of  the  London 
Company  for  the  permanent  colonization  of 
Virginia,  the  territory  between  Cape  Fear 
and  Maryland. 


I 


CHAPTER  II. 

New  Year's  Day,  1607.  The  god  of  win- 
ter, holding  high  carnival  in  the  vaulted 
heavens,  snatched  the  icy  stalactites  from 
his  frozen  caverns,  and  crushing  them  in 
his  iron  grasp,  hurled  them  down  upon  the 
shivering  voyagers  vainly  trying  to  make 
headway  against  the  storm.  His  bellowing 
laugh  swayed  the  writhing  trees  until  they 
clashed  their  branches  together  in  unbridled 
furv.  Countless  millions  of  snowy  flowers 
whirled  and  rioted  in  the  icy  blast. 

Huddled  in  the  cabins  of  the  Susan  Con- 
stant, the  God-speed,  and  the  Discovery 
were  one  hundred  and  eight  cavaliers  of 
fortune.  Not  yet  out  of  sight  of  the  spires 
of  home,  discontent  was  already  lifting  its 
hydra-head  in  search  of  food. 

^'What  fools  we  were  ever  to  have  lis- 
tened to  that  conniving  Smith,''  murmured 
Kendall,  addressing  Martin  standing  near. 
^^He  is  already  hatching  plots  for  making 
himself  King  of  Virginia.  Watch  him 
seated  yonder  studying  the  map  of  Amadas 
and  Barlow.  See  how  he  is  knitting  his 
brows  and  gazing  far  in  the  distance  as  he 


38         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

sees  in  imagination  his  kingdom  in  his 
power.  I  tell  you,  he  is  dangerous.  Yes- 
terday I  saw  him  talking  with  that  sancti- 
monious parson  Hunt.  Doubtless  his  rev- 
erence does  not  stand  very  well  with  the 
Higher  Powers,  or  there  would  be  an  abate- 
ment of  this  cursed  storm.'' 

George  Maria  Wingfield,  strolling  from 
one  port-hole  to  another,  dreaming  of  the 
vast  wealth  which  he  intended  to  store  up 
in  this  new  land,  overheard  the  speech  of 
Kendall  and  stored  it  up  for  future  use. 
He  determined,  as  soon  as  they  were 
well  out  to  sea,  that  he  would  stir  up  the 
men  against  Smith  and  see  what  would 
come  of  it.  His  malignant  nature  could 
not  bear  to  hear  of  the  success  of  another. 

Up  on  the  deck  Bartholomew  Gosnold 
paced  back  and  forth,  unheeding  the  hail 
driving  against  his  weather-beaten  counte- 
nance. As  he  swept  the  vast  rolling  billows 
with  his  glass,  he  muttered  to  himself, 
''Why  couldn't  they  heed  my  advice,  and 
pursue  the  track  which  I  have  discovered, 
instead  of  following  the  old  route  of  Colum- 
busr' 

In  the  cabin  of  the  Susan  Constant  sat 
John  Laydon,  a  young  carpenter,  with  his 
head  buried  in  his  hands.  In  mind  he  was 
back  again  in  a  rustic  cottage  in  Devon- 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         39 

shire.  Eoses  clambered  over  it  in  summer 
and  the  hawthorn  blossoms  whitened  the 
hedges  enclosing  it— a  casket  holding  the 
jewel  of  his  heart's  desire,  pretty  Anne 
Burr  as. 

The  dainty  maiden  has  kept  his  honest 
heart  in  a  state  of  constant  turmoil  with 
her  coquettish  wiles.  He  was  never  sure  of 
her,  and  even  now  knew  not  whether  she 
had  returned  his  love. 

Suddenly  he  clinched  his  brawny  hands, 
and  a  deep  scowl  ploughed  his  forehead  as 
he  thought  of  that  caititf  Wingfield,  whose 
pretentious  home  lay  only  a  short  distance 
from  Anne's.  Many  a  time  John  had 
caught  sight  of  him  riding  down  the  lane 
and  stopping  at  the  gate  of  the  cottage  to 
whisper  flattering  words  into  the  shell-like 
ears  of  Anne,  and  his  honeyed  words 
had  dazzled  her  and  perhaps  touched  her 
heart. 

Wlien  the  day's  work  was  done,  John 
had  gone  to  see  her,  and  as  they  sat  upon 
the  porch  with  the  moonlight  filtering 
through  the  meshes  of  the  vines  he  had 
remonstrated  with  her. 

^^Anne,  you  know  that  he  is  a  gentleman, 
and  will  mate  with  one  his  equal  in  sta- 
tion. He  is  only  trifling  with  you  to  pass 
the  time.    Better  listen  to  an  honest  man's 


40        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

love,  who  has  your  dearest  interest  at 
heart. ' ' 

Anne  tossed  her  head,  and  with  the  wis- 
dom inherited  from  Eve  avoided  giving  a 
decided  answer. 

Perhaps  if  John  returned  with  wealth 
from  that  distant  land,  she  might  listen  to 
his  suit— mind  you,  perhaps. 

^^You  cannot  be  a  fine  ladj,  Anne.  It 
was  an  unfortunate  dav  when  you  took 
service  with  Mistress  Forrest,  for  although 
she  has  been  a  kind  mistress,  your  head  has 
been  turned  by  the  compliments  of  the 
gentlemen  who  resort  to  her  house.  You 
dream  of  fine  clothes,  a  coach  to  ride  in,  and 
a  maid  to  wait  upon  you;  but  I  tell  you, 
only  grief  will  come  of  it. ' ' 

But  no  pleadings  of  her  suitor  had  had 
any  effect  on  the  pretty  maiden,  and,  sore 
at  heart,  he  had  left  her  to  seek  his  fortune 
in  the  New  World.  What  was  his  surprise 
to  see  Wingfield  among  the  passengers 
when  he  went  on  board  the  ship. 

**Ha,  it  is  you,  Laydon.  Pity  you  could 
not  bring  the  pretty  Anne  along,''  said 
Wingfield  with  a  sneer. 

With  a  fierce  scowl,  Laydon  flung  a  hot 
reply. 

**  Leave  her  alone.  Honest  men  do  not 
trifle  with  simple  maidens,  and  if  you  ever 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare.        41 

do  her  a  wrong,  I  will  throttle  you  even  if 
I  hang  for  it!'' 

Wingfield  retorted  with  a  contemptuous 
laugh. 

Finally  the  storm  lulled,  and  the  voy- 
agers, pursuing  the  old  track  over  which 
Eleanor  Dare  had  sailed,  came  to  the  West 
Indies.  There  they  landed  in  the  bright 
and  fickle  month  of  April,  to  rest  their  sea- 
worn  bodies  and  soothe  their  distraught 
tempers. 

Down  in  the  hold  of  the  God-speed  lay 
a  young  prisoner  manacled  in  irons.  Curly 
brown  hair  waved  over  his  forehead,  long 
mustachios  adorned  his  upper  lip  and 
eyes  full  of  intelligence,  together  with 
firmly  closed  lips,  in  the  corners  of  which 
lurked  a  smile,  marked  him  as  a  man  of 
strong  character. 

He  had  been  miraculously  preserved  by 
Providence  to  be  the  connecting  link  be- 
tween the  lost  ^^City  of  Ealeigh"  and  the 
future  settlement  at  Jamestown. 

A  coat  of  mail  covered  his  body,  fitting 
down  snugly  over  his  Turk-like  trousers 
which  were  met  by  huge  French  boots,  with 
wide  overturning  tops,  settling  in  deep 
wrinkles  around  his  ankles.  No  premoni- 
tion of  the  part  he  was  to  play  in  the  com- 
ing drama  of  Virginia  came  to  him  as  he 


42         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

lay  and  listened  to  the  men  going  back- 
ward and  forward  to  the  tropical  island. 

Presently  John  Laydon  came,  bringing 
the  prisoner  a  luscious  orange  and  soft 
yellow  banana  gathered  on  shore.  Sitting 
down  beside  Captain  Smith,  he  peeled  the 
tempting  fruit  and  offered  it  to  him. 

^' Thank  you,  Laydon;  it  was  very  kind 
of  you  to  remember  me.  Now  that  we  are 
alone,  I  would  like  to  ask  you  a  question. 
AVhat  is  the  trouble  between  you  and  Wing- 
tieldr' 

His  sympathetic  tones  unlocked  the  lips 
of  the  young  carpenter.  He  poured  out  the 
recital  of  his  wrongs  at  the  hand  of  Wing- 
field. 

^  ^  Cheer  up,  Laydon ;  things  may  turn  out 
better  than  you  dream ;  but  keep  a  watchful 
eye  upon  Wingfield.  If  I  read  him  truly, 
he  is  not  above  doing  you  a  mischief  out  of 
pure  malice.  It  is  owing  to  his  efforts  that 
I  am  a  prisoner.  He  and  Kendall  have 
filled  the  men's  minds  with  suspicion  and 
unkindness  toward  me.'' 

About  the  end  of  April  the  colonists 
started  northward  along  the  coast  of 
Florida,  where  the  Spaniard  was  disput- 
ing the  territory  with  the  Indian,  and 
steered  for  the  entry  to  Eoanoke  Island. 
But  they  had  not  reckoned  on  the  fidelity 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  43 

with  which  April  pays  her  debts  to  May, 
particularly  on  the  sea.  A  fierce  storm, 
accompanied  by  its  satellites  of  wind  and 
rain,  came  rushing  out  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  sent  the  ships  speeding  past 
the  '^City  of  Raleigh''  like  helpless  birds 
scudding  before  the  blast,  into  the  mouth 
of  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 

There  two  capes  stretched  out  long  pro- 
tecting arms  to  break  the  fury  of  the  sea, 
and  give  the  frightened  voyagers  time  to 
collect  their  scattered  senses. 

''Let  us  call  the  capes  Charles  and 
Henry,  after  our  sovereign's  sons,"  said 
Percy.  ''May  they  prove  as  protecting  to 
their  subjects  when  they  come  to  the  throne. 
Yonder  is  a  point  of  land,  too,  smiling 
friendly  welcome.  Let  us  spend  the  night 
there. ' ' 

This  proposition  met  with  ready  assent, 
and  very  soon  their  camp-fires  were  burn- 
ing brightly,  the  evening  meal  prepared 
and  speedily  devoured  by  the  hungry  colo- 
nists, who  had  eaten  little  since  the  storm 
arose. 

"^Hiat  a  comfort  it  is  to  tread  on  dry 
land  once  more,"  said  Gosnold,  between 
mouthfuls  of  food. 

"Ay,  so  it  is,"  replied  Martin.  "Wliat 
says  this  worthy  company  to  calling  this 


44        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

spot  Point  Comfort?  Let's  put  it  to  vote. 
All  in  favor  say  *aye/  those  opposed  ^no.' 
The  ^ ayes'  have  it." 

*^  Master  Newport,  read  the  sealed  in- 
structions for  the  government  of  the  colony 
which  were  entrusted  to  you.  Let's  hear  the 
conditions  under  which  we  are  now  to  live, ' ' 
said  George  Percy. 

Newport  opened  the  sealed  packet  and 
proceeded  to  read  the  laws  of  the  London 
Company  for  the  new  settlement.  He  was 
constantly  interrupted  by  exclamations  of 
astonishment. 

^'Captain  Smith  appointed  a  member  of 
the  council  I  Good !  now  he  will  have  to  be 
released  from  imprisonment, ' '  said  Percy. 

''He  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  have  a 
hand  in  the  affairs  of  the  colony;  he  is 
too  scheming,"  interjected  Kendall. 

' '  No  house  and  land  for  each  man,  and  all 
to  work  for  the  common  good!"  exclaimed 
Laydon  in  a  disappointed  tone.  The  hope  of 
winning  Anne  seemed  farther  away  than 
ever. 

The  newly  appointed  council  conferred 
among  themselves,  rejected  Smith  as  a 
member,  and  appointed  Wingfield  presi- 
dent. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Twenty  years  had  the  violets  bloomed 
over  the  grave  of  Eleanor  Dare  on  the 
island  of  Koanoke.  In  all  that  time  the  In- 
dian had  planted  his  corn  and  tobacco  and 
celebrated  the  harvest  with  feasting  and 
dancing  unmolested  by  the  white  man. 

Gentle  May,  with  tender  hands,  was 
removing  the  furry  coats  of  the  purple  and 
white  hepaticas.  The  pink  anemones,  sway- 
ing in  the  breeze,  nodded  to  her  as  she 
passed.  Down  by  the  pools  of  quiet  waters 
the  beavers  were  building  dams  with  their 
racquet-shaped  tails,  while  among  the 
rushes  on  the  river's  bank,  slate-blue 
cranes,  standing  on  one  leg,  watched  for  the 
unwary  fish  that  were  to  make  their  dinner. 

The  rising  sun  sent  its  long  slanting 
beams  to  awaken  the  colonists  to  their  first 
day  on  Virginia's  soil.  Rubbing  their  eyes 
and  stretching  their  limbs,  they  set  about 
preparing  the  morning  meal  and  getting 
ready  for  the  renewing  of  the  voyage. 

Leaving  Point  Comfort,  they  entered  a 
broad  and  pleasant  stream,  whose  waters 
traveled  many  miles  before  they  emptied 


46         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

their  amber  flood  into  the  Chesapeake.  As 
they  sailed  up  the  stream  their  muskets 
repeatedly  awoke  the  echoes,  frightening 
the  birds  from  their  nest-building  to  whirl 
in  eddying  circles  above  the  tree-tops. 
Curious  Indians,  frightened  by  the  sound, 
watched  them  from  behind  the  trunks  of 
massive  trees. 

Forty  miles  up  the  river  they  came  upon 
a  peninsula  jutting  into  deep  water.  Tall 
and  stately  trees  covered  its  breast,  and  the 
air  was  filled  with  the  fragrance  of  blossom- 
ing honeysuckle  and  wild  roses.  It  seemed 
an  ideal  spot  for  a  settlement. 

Sailing  their  ships  close  up  to  the  shore 
they  landed  upon  the  ground  which  in  time 
to  come  would  be  the  most  historic  spot 
upon  the  whole  continent  of  America. 

''We  will  call  this  citv  Jamestown  and 
the  river  James,  in  honor  of  James,  first 
king  of  the  United  Kingdoms  of  England 
and  Scotland, ''  pompously  declared  Wing- 
field.  ''As  the  weather  is  so  pleasant,  we 
shall  not  need  to  build  houses  just  at  pres- 
ent. Cut  down  some  of  the  trees  and  make 
room  for  your  tents.'' 

"Shall  we  not  set  about  building  a  fort 
as  a  protection  against  the  savages!"  in- 
quired Smith. 

"No,  do  as  you  are  told.     The  council 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         47 

and  myself  are  able  to  direct  affairs  with- 
out your  assistance.  Bid  the  men  lay  aside 
their  arms  and  go  to  work.  There  is  no 
need  for  such  precaution. ' ' 

Before  long  a  city  of  tents  spread  its 
white  cones  among  the  giant  trees.  A  large 
sail  stretched  between  two  drooping  elms, 
situated  on  a  green  knoll,  became  the  church 
where  the  colonists  gathered  daily  to  say 
morning  and  evening  prayers,  led  by  their 
faithful  pastor,  the  Eeverend  Eobert  Hunt. 

Each  day  the  men  were  divided  into  com- 
panies, some  to  cut  down  clapboards  to  load 
the  returning  ships,  others  were  busy  clear- 
ing the  ground  for  gardens,  while  the  rest 
made  nets  to  catch  the  fish  of  many  kinds 
which  abounded  in  the  stream. 

Many  Indians  came  to  visit  them,  chief 
of  whom  was  the  wily  Opechancanough,  and 
numerous  presents  of  bells  and  beads 
gained  his  apparent  good  will.  In  return 
he  brought  presents  of  corn  and  dried 
venison,  and  gave  much  news  of  the 
country. 

^'The  river  vou  call  James,  is  the  Pow- 
hatan,''  he  told  them.  ''It  was  named  for 
our  king,  who  is  a  great  and  mighty  chief. 
When  this  river  is  filled  with  sturgeon  he 
comes  to  his  home  far  up  its  banks.  When 
the  swans  and  wild  geese  come  northward 


48         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

he  goes  to  AVeriwocomoco  on  the  Chicka- 
hominy. ' ' 

Scarcely  three  weeks  harl  passed  when 
President  Wingfield  ordered  Captain  Smith 
and  Newport  to  take  twenty  men  and  sail 
up  the  James  to  discover  its  source.  Cap- 
tain Smith  was  loath  to  leave,  for  discon- 
tent was  brewing  among  the  colonists. 

AAHien  delicate  hands  were  blistered  and 
unused  muscles  ached  with  unaccustomed 
toil,  the  idle  among  them  left  oif  work  and 
sat  down  to  rest,  until  resting  became  a 
habit.  The  whole  of  the  burden  fell  upon 
the  persevering  ones,  who  thus  had  to  work 
not  only  for  themselves,  but  for  the  lazy 
ones  also. 

^  ^  It  is  not  fair, ' '  said  John  Lay  don,  ^ '  that 
some  should  have  to  fish  for  food  in  the  hot 
sun,  and  work  to  load  the  vessels  with  clap- 
boards, while  others  lie  idle." 

"We  don't  have  to  work,  the  common 
storehouse  will  feed  us,''  responded  a  man 
lying  among  a  group  of  idlers  stretched 
under  a  tree. 

To  all  of  their  complaints  Wingfield  paid 
no  attention  but  spent  his  time  in  eating, 
devising  plans  for  gain,  and  plotting 
against  Captain  Smith. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Where  the  beating  heart  of  Virginia  lies, 
there  nature  has  built  a  temple,  and  reared 
seven  hills  as  high  altars  to  the  One  True 
God.  As  the  James,  rushing  swiftly  down 
its  course,  reaches  this  hallowed  spot  it 
instinctively  pauses  and  shatters  its  one 
clear  melody  into  a  thousand  exquisite 
harmonies  on  its  rocky  banks  of  keys. 

On  a  gently  sloping  hill,  overshadowed 
by  huge  forest  trees,  stood  some  ten  or 
twelve  houses  where  the  warriors  of  Pow- 
hatan had  their  summer  home.  Somewhat 
apart  from  the  others  was  the  house  of 
Powhatan,  King  of  Virginia.  Built  of  the 
trunks  of  the  cedar,  and  thatched  with  the 
boughs  of  the  pine,  it  formed  a  royal  dwel- 
ling place  for  that  august  chief.  Nightly 
four  tall  warriors  stood  guard  around  it  to 
prevent  a  sudden  surprise  from  their 
enemies  who  lay  to  the  westward. 

*'The  pearl  of  Powhatan's  daughters  lies 
sleeping  within  her  shell,"  was  the  watch- 
word passed  at  regular  inter^^als  from  one 
to  the  other.  Dire  was  the  vengeance  of 
Powhatan  if  one  failed  to  answer  the  salute 
of  the  other. 


50         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

On  this  bright  June  morning  all  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  village  were  abroad.  The 
little  embryo  warriors,  clad  only  in  their 
copper-colored  skins,  waged  mimic  warfare 
with  one  another.  From  the  low  branches 
of  the  trees  swung  the  papooses,  like  co- 
coons from  which  the  gay-colored  butterflies 
were  already  emerging.  Over  the  fires  hung 
many  kettles  in  which  the  patient  squaws, 
young  in  years  but  old  in  hardships,  were 
cooking  the  morning  meal  for  their  lords, 
while  near  the  beach,  stretched  at  full 
length,  lay  the  warriors,  smoking  their 
long-stemmed  pipes,  and  discussing  the 
news  which  Opechancanough  had  brought— 
news  of  the  pale  faces  who  had  pitched  their 
wigwams  far  down  on  the  banks  of  the 
river. 

Calling  him  to  them,  he  was  again  asked 
to  recite  the  wonderful  tale.  True,  they 
had  heard  that  many  years  ago  there 
had  been  a  tribe  of  pale  faces  far  down  on 
Eoanoke  Island,  and  the  Hatteras  Indians 
even  now  told  strange  tales  of  a  pale  face 
people  who  had  once  been  there,  but  not  one 
of  Powhatan's  warriors  had  ever  seen 
them. 

Sitting  down,  Opechancanough  again 
recited  the  tale  of  the  wonderful  tribe  who 
had  come  amoife  them. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         51 

'^They  wear  curious  mantles  of  many 
eolorSj"  said  he,  *-and  one  among  them  has 
his  body  covered  with  a  hard  shining  shell, 
which  doubtless  the  Great  Spirit  has  given 
him.  Their  canoes  have  great  white  wings, 
and  hidden  in  each  one  is  an  evil  spirit 
which  sends  forth  fire  and  thunder. ' ' 

In  the  midst  of  his  story  one  of  the  war- 
riors suddenly  lifted  his  hand  for  silence, 
and  with  head  to  one  side  and  chin  out- 
stretched, turned  his  gaze  upon  the  river. 
The  rest  of  the  warriors  followed  his  ex- 
ample. Their  keen  ears  quickly  caught  the 
sound  of  oars  beating  the  water  with 
measured  strokes,  and  presently  there  came 
into  view  a  boat  with  twenty-two  pale  faces 
in  it,  their  gleaming  muskets  resting  on 
their  knees. 

^^  These  are  the  pale  faces  Opechan- 
canough  has  told  you  of.  Eeceive  them  in 
a  friendly  manner,  for  they  are  mighty 
and  powerful, '  ^  said  that  wily  chief. 

As  the  prow  of  the  boat  touched  the  beach 
all  of  the  warriors  went  down  to  meet  it. 
Many  gestures  on  the  part  of  the  Indians 
gave  Captain  Smith  and  his  party  to  under- 
stand that  they  were  welcome. 

^*We  would  speak  with  your  great  chief, '* 
said  Captain  Smith,  who  instinctively  acted 
as  spokesman  for  the  rest  of  the  party. 


52        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

*'My  brother  Powhatan  is  not  here/'  said 
Opechancanough.  ^^He  has  gone  to  his 
winter  home  at  Weriwocomoco.  His  chiefs 
and  myself  welcome  yon  in  his  stead. 
Opechancanough  has  told  them  of  your 
coming  and  the  presents  you  bring. 

Still  keeping  their  muskets  by  their  side, 
the  voyagers  seated  themselves  on  the  beach 
near  to  their  boat.  Then  the  squaws,  who 
had  been  curiously  watching  them,  came 
forward  at  the  command  of  Opechan- 
canough with  food  for  their  refreshment. 

Willow  baskets  tilled  with  flat  cakes  made 
of  crushed  acorns,  buttered  with  deer  suet, 
were  flanked  by  hot  corn  pone  and  hoe  cake. 
Broiled  venison  and  sturgeon,  together  with 
wine  made  from  last  year's  vintage,  com- 
pleted the  repast. 

With  right  good  will  the  hungry  voyagers 
fell  to  and  did  full  justice  to  the  food  set 
before  them. 

^'Wbere  is  the  source  of  this  river  you 
call  Powhatan?"  said  Captain  Newport, 
addressing  Opechancanough. 

^^Far  away  toward  the  setting  sun, 
among  the  great  mountains,  it  begins,  and 
gathering  other  streams  into  its  embrace, 
swells  into  the  river  gliding  by,"  he 
answered. 

After  the  meal  was  over  pipes  and  tobacco 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare.        53 

were  brought,  and  Indian  and  White  man 
smoked  the  pipe  of  peace  together. 

^^Who  is  your  king,  and  where  is  your 
country  r'  asked  Nantauquas,  son  of  Pow- 
hatan. 

^^Many  days'  journey  across  the  great 
waters  lives  a  mighty  chief  called  James,'' 
replied  Captain  Smith.  ''Thousands  of 
warriors  obey  his  commands  and  speed  on 
his  errands.  He  has  sent  us  to  seek  out  the 
friendship  of  his  brother  king,  Powhatan, 
and  bring  him  presents  as  tokens  of  his 
love. ' ' 

''It  is  well,"  said  Opechancanough. 
"Dearlv  will  Powhatan  love  his  brother 
and  his  presents. ' ' 

Just  then  came  the  sound  of  voices  lifted 
in  song,  broken  now  and  then  by  shouts  of 
laughter.  Not  knowing  what  this  might 
portend,  the  white  men  grasped  their  mus- 
kets and  turned  toward  the  direction  from 
whence  came  the  sound. 

A  gently  sloping,  hill  crowned  with  a 
dense  growth  of  sycamores,  gradually  thin- 
ning out  near  the  bottom,  lay  directly  be- 
hind them. 

Forth  from  the  trees  on  the  brow  came 
a  group  of  twelve  maidens  whirling  and 
bending  in  a  sinuous  circle  around  a  young- 
goddess  in  their  midst.    Raising  their  arms 


54        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

aloft  they  showered  her  with  great  white 
daisies  inset  with  hearts  of  gold,  then 
bending  their  knees  in  homage,  uplifted 
their  voices  in  plaintive  chant,  while  she 
in  turn  bent  her  body  in  graceful  salute. 
On  went  the  whirling  dance  and  battle  of 
flowers,  in  and  out  among  the  sycamores, 
until  they  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill. 

Then,  catching  sight  of  the  stranger 
guests,  the  maidens  paused  with  uplifted 
arms  as  if  stiffened  into  stone.  Opechan- 
canough  went  toward  them  and  informed 
them  of  the  coming  of  the  pale  faces  in 
their  absence. 

Quickly  the  links  of  the  chain  fell  apart 
and  ranged  themselves  behind  the  maiden 
who  had  been  in  the  center.  Like  a  young 
aspen  against  a  background  of  autumn- 
tinted  foliage  stood  Pocahontas,  daughter 
of  Powhatan  and  Virginia  Dare.  All  of 
the  girlish  abandon  with  which  she  had 
whirled  down  the  hill  had  vanished.  In 
its  place  was  the  royal  bearing  of  the 
queen. 

Clouds  of  blue-black  hair  swept  down  her 
back,  bound  about  the  temples  with  a  rope 
of  pearl,  which  reached  to  her  waist.  A 
short  skirt  of  soft  doeskin  fringed  with  the 
quills  of  the  fretful  porcupine  met  long 
leggins    embroidered    in   beads    of    many 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         55 

colors,  and  on  her  bared  arms  gleamed 
burnished  copper  bracelets.  Her  rounded 
bosom  still  rose  and  fell  with  the  exertion 
of  the  dance. 

Walking  slowly  forward  with  Opechan- 
canough  by  her  side,  and  her  maidens  fol- 
lowing, she  now  came  to  greet  the  colonists. 
Pausing  before  them  she  closely  scanned 
their  faces,  and  as  she  held  out  her  hands 
to  Captain  Smith  the  tender  smile  of 
Virginia  Dare  rippled  like  sunshine  over 
her  features. 

^^  Welcome  to  the  home  of  Powhatan,  0 
pale  face  brother.  Have  my  people  treated 
you  well,  and  served  you  with  ioodV^ 

^^Well  and  kindly  have  we  fared,  ^'  said 
Captain  Smith,  *  ^  and  have  also  smoked  the 
pipe  of  peace.  Let  there  be  friendship 
between  your  people  and  mine,  and  in  token 
of  our  love,  receive  this  string  of  beads, 
whose  color  is  that  of  the  sky.'' 

Instantly  Pocahontas  was  the  child  again 
as  she  eagerly  accepted  the  blue  beads  and 
turned  to  show  them  to  her  maidens. 

^^We  will  also  plant  a  sign  of  the  love 
there  is  between  us.''  Turning  to  one  of 
his  men.  Captain  Smith  bade  him  bring 
axe  and  spade  from  the  boat.  A  young 
aspen  no  higher  than  a  man  soon  measured 
its  length  upon  the  ground  and  was  quickly 


56        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

stripped  of  its  branches,  one  of  which,  with 
the  silvery  grey  leaves  still  quivering  upon 
it,  he  nailed  across  the  trunk.  Then  a  hole 
was  dug  and  the  ''Sign*'  placed  within  it. 
Turning  to  Pocahontas,  he  told  her  that 
she  must  hold  it  upright  while  the  men 
banked  the  earth. 

With  a  joyous  laugh  she  threw  her  arms 
over  the  beams  of  the  cross  and  leaned  her 
weight  against  the  trunk.  A  sob  rose  in 
the  throat  of  the  young  soldier  as  he  looked 
upon  the  picture  of  savagery  clinging  to 
the  Hope  of  all  the  world.  Surely  the  Holy 
Ghost  was  brooding  over  her  on  that 
Pentecost  Day. 

Perceiving  that  they  could  not  ascend 
the  James  farther  on  account  of  the  cata- 
racts, the  party  prepared  to  return  home. 
Captain  Smith  turned  to  bid  good-by  to 
Pocahontas.  Taking  her  hands  in  his,  he 
smiled  down  into  her  uplifted  eyes. 

*'Will  Pocahontas  be  mv  friend  and  come 
to  Jamestown  to  see  me  ?  There  I  will  show 
her  many  strange  things  and  tell  her  of 
the  land  of  the  pale  faces.'' 

''Pocahontas  will  come,  and  she  will  also 
be  your  friend.  Already  her  heart  turns 
to  your  people,  and  much  she  loves  them." 

As  they  sailed  down  the  river,  Captain 
Smith  said  to  Newport,  ''Did  you  notice 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         57 

tlie  bearing  of  Pocahontas?  No  maiden 
of  our  court  is  more  queenly.  She  has  not 
the  cunning  and  wily  look  of  her  people; 
frankness  and  kindness  sit  enthroned  upon 
her  brow.  If  it  were  not  for  the  color  of 
her  skin  and  her  Indian  features  I  could 
almost  believe  she  was  a  daughter  of  our 
people. ' ' 


CHAPTER  V 

Arriving  at  Jamestown,  the  exploring 
party  came  upon  a  scene  of  utter  confusion, 
misery,  and  friglit.  As  they  hastily  landed 
they  were  met  by  Chaplain  Hunt,  whose 
sad  face  foreboded  evil  tidings. 

^'Your  prophecy  has  come  true.  Smith. 
Want  of  proper  vigilance  and  the  lack  of  a 
fort  have  been  our  undoing.  Last  night 
while  all  were  asleep  we  were  surprised  by 
the  Indians  and  many  of  our  men  are  dead. 
Fear  has  taken  hold  of  the  others  to  such 
an  extent  they  seem  paralyzed,  and  will 
not  stir  to  provide  protection.  All  are 
determined  to  leave  with  Captain  Newport 
for  home.  I  hope  that  your  coming  will 
restore  their  courage. ' ' 

*'Why  does  not  Wingfield  compel  the  men 
to  go  to  work ! ' '  inquired  Smith. 

Mr.  Hunt  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and 
with  a  gesture  of  helplessness  replied: 

*' Wingfield,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  thinks 
only  of  himself.  He  has  no  feeling  of 
responsibility  or  pity  for  his  men.  I  know 
you  for  a  man  of  courage  and  a  Christian. 
My  only  hope  lies  in  you. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  59 

^^I  can  do  so  little.  Every  move  or  sug- 
gestion I  make  is  looked  upon  with 
suspicion  and  jealousy.  God  knows  I  have 
no  selfish  end  in  view,  and  I  can  only  trust 
Him  and  wait." 

The  coming  of  Captain  Smith,  with  his 
courage  and  perseverance,  insensibly  re- 
stored the  spirits  of  the  colonists.  After 
he  had  talked  to  them  and  urged  them  not 
to  abandon  the  settlement  they  consented 
to  try  a  while  longer,  but  no  sooner  was 
order  restored  than  Wingfield  and  his 
satellites  set  to  work  to  breed  envy  and 
suspicion  of  the  brave  soldier. 

One  morning  after  daily  prayer  had  been 
said,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hunt  spoke  to  the 
assembled  men  about  their  jealousy  and 
suspicion  of  Captain   Smith. 

^'My  friends,"  said  he,  '^we  have  come 
across  to  this  land  together,  here  to  found 
a  home  for  ourselves  and  be  a  help  to  the 
benighted  savage.  Let  us  put  aside  envy 
and  backbiting,  and  trust  one  another. 
Each  one  of  us  has  a  duty  to  perform  in 
planting  the  English  nation  upon  this  soil, 
and  let  us  not  forget  the  great  end  we  have 
in  view,  of  bringing  these  poor  savages 
to  love  and  serve  their  Maker.  Let  us  treat 
them  with  forbearance  and  patience, 
making  no  retaliation  for  the  wrong  done 


60        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

us.  We  must  bear  in  mind  that  Kalph 
Lane 's  men,  in  killing  a  poor  savage  for  the 
loss  of  a  paltry  silver  cup,  first  taught  the 
Indian  hatred  for  the  white  man.  Before 
that  time  all  was  peace  and  love  between 
them.  They  listened  gladly  to  the  story 
of  the  Heavenly  Father's  love,  and  even 
stroked  their  bodies  with  the  Word  of  God, 
thinking  in  their  simple  way  that  mere  con- 
tact would  bring  a  blessing.  But  I  must 
speak  to  you  of  one  other  thing. 

*' There  is  one  among  you,  courageous 
and  God-fearing,  who  has  your  interest 
alone  at  heart.  In  return  for  all  his  kind- 
ness you  have  given  him  pain  and  heart- 
ache. Is  this  the  spirit  of  a  Christian? 
Can  we  teach  brotherly  love  to  the  savage 
when  we  lack  it  among  ourselves?  Is  it 
honest  and  manly  treatment?  I  speak  to 
you  as  man  to  man.  Look  into  your  hearts 
and  see  if  you  have  done  as  you  would  be 
done  by,  and  then  repenting  of  your  lack 
of  charity,  extend  the  hand  of  comradeship 
to  him." 

As  they  quietly  listened  to  the  words  of 
the  priest,  over  many  faces  stole  a  look 
of  shame  and  repentance;  but  some  still 
sat  with  unmoved  countenances,  among 
them  Wingfield  and  his  particular  friends. 

Captain  Newport  now  made  ready  to  re- 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         61 

turn  to  England  with  his  shipload  of  clap- 
boards hewn  from  the  virgin  forests  sur- 
rounding the  settlement.  The  pinnace  was 
to  be  left  behind  for  exploring  expeditions 
as  had  been  commanded  by  the  London 
Company. 

On  the  voyage  to  Virginia  much  of  the 
food  supply  had  been  spoilt  and  what  was 
left  was  recklessly  squandered.  As  long 
as  the  returning  ships  stayed  the  sailors 
exchanged  the  food,  which  they  had  for  the 
voyage  back  to  England,  for  tobacco  and 
other  possessions  of  the  settlers. 

After  they  left  it  became  necessary  to 
place  each  man  on  an  allowance  of  food. 
A  half  pint  of  wheat  and  barley  boiled  in 
water  served  as  a  day's  allowance.  Presi- 
dent Wingfield,  however,  had  taken  care 
to  provide  beef,  oatmeal,  and  sack  for  his 
private  use. 

He  now  saw  fit  to  issue  orders  for  the 
building  of  the  long-needed  fort,  and  the 
men  were  put  to  work  cutting  down  pali- 
sades and  bearing  them  to  the  appointed 
place.  Few  of  them  could  be  prevailed 
upon  to  w^ork  in  their  weakened  condition, 
and  of  those  who  did  many  died  from 
exhaustion. 

The  provisions  of  Wingfield  were  now 
nearly  spent,  and  as  he  had  no  intention 


62        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

of  sharing  tlie  lot  of  the  colonists,  he  and 
his  friends  plotted  to  seize  the  pinnace  and 
sail  for  the  mother  country. 

One  day  John  Laydon,  returning  from 
work  on  the  fort,  overheard  the  conspir- 
ators talking  together  behind  a  clump  of 
bushes,  and  he  immediately  reported  the 
matter  to  the  Chaplain. 

Hastily  seeking  out  Captain  Smith,  Mr. 
Hunt  repeated  the  story  told  him  by 
Laydon. 

''What  shall  we  do,  Smith  I  At  all  costs 
such  an  outrage  mnst  be  prevented." 

''After  evening  prayer,  when  all  of  the 
men  are  together,  I  will  disclose  the  plot,'^ 
replied  the  Captain. 

Wlien  the  clock  struck  four  the  idle  and 
the  industrious  alike  assembled  under  the 
stretched  sail.  There  were  the  unsuspect- 
ing and  the  plotters  sitting  side  by  side, 
and  as  the  priest  looked  upon  them  he  could 
not  keep  the  tremor  out  of  his  voice  as  he 
thought  of  the  helplessness  of  some  and  the 
treachery  of  the  others.  When  the  last 
words  of  the  blessing  had  been  said,  Cap- 
tain Smith  arose  and  told  them  of  the  plot. 
As  he  pictured  the  selfishness  of  Wingfield, 
his  cruel  treatment,  and  worst  of  all  his 
intention  of  seizing  the  pinnace,  the  anger 
of  the  men  rose  to  white  heat. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  63 


( i 


He  shall  not  be  President  any  longer ! ' ' 
cried  one.  Immediately  the  cry  was  taken 
up  by  the  others,  and  Wingfield  cringed  in 
fear  of  his  life.  A  vote  was  then  taken  to 
elect  a  new  President.  Surely  Captain 
Smith  would  be  chosen;  but  no,  the  seed 
of  suspicion  sown  by  Wingfield  had  taken 
root.  The  colonists  were  not  yet  ready 
to  trust  Captain  Smith.  Eatcliffe,  the 
accomplice  of  Wingfield,  was  elected  in  his 
stead. 


CHAPTER    VI 

Under  the  new  President  matters  went 
from  bad  to  worse.  Fall  was  now  approach- 
ing and  the  decaying  vegetation  was  send- 
ing up  deadly  miasmas  to  poison  the  air. 

^^Food,  food!''  was  the  daily  cry  of  the 
colonists.  The  deadly  fear  of  Opechan- 
canough  and  his  men  filled  their  dreams 
at  night  with  terrible  crimes.  Many  a 
man  awoke  with  the  cold  perspiration  bath- 
ing his  brow,  only  to  find  his  dream  come 
true.    A  cry— a  prayer— a  silence! 

Sitting  idly  around,  they  bemoaned  their 
fate  and  talked  of  the  comforts  they  had 
left  behind.  Would  they  had  never  left 
the  shores  of  England !  There  at  least  they 
might  have  found  food. 

But  even  as  they  sat  and  talked,  a  minis- 
tering angel,  sent  by  God,  was  on  her  way 
to  them.  Sculling  down  the  James  caaie 
Pocahontas  for  her  first  visit  to  Jamestown. 
The  bottom  of  her  canoe  was  filled  with 
corn  and  wild  turkeys  which  she  was  bring- 
ing as  a  present  to  Captain  Smith.  Fear- 
lessly stepping  on  shore,  she  came  directly 
toward  a  group  of  men  sitting  under  a 
tree. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  65 

''"Where  is  your  chief T*  she  asked. 

Thinking  that  she  meant  Ratcliffe,  one 
of  the  men  hastened  to  call  him.  But  when 
he  appeared  the  little  guest  shook  her  head 
and  said,  ^'Not  the  one  of  the  lowering 
brow,  but  the  one  with  the  shining  body.'^ 
Then  they  knew  she  meant  Captain  Smith 
and  just  then  he  appeared.  Pleased 
recognition  lighted  up  her  countenance  as 
she  saw  him. 

**  Pocahontas  has  come  as  she  promised, 
and  to  show  her  love  has  brought  food  for 
the  great  chief." 

^'Many  times  welcome,  O  Pocahontas,'' 
he  replied.  ^^The  Great  Spirit  of  the  pale 
faces  has  moved  your  heart  to  come  to  our 
aid.'' 

Then  he  showed  her  the  church  where  the 
pale  faces  worshiped,  and  gave  her  pres- 
ents of  bells  and  beads,  and  she  lingered  a 
long  time  with  them  and  seemed  loath  to 
depart. 


CHAPTER   VII 

Fall,  clad  in  gorgeous  robes  of  crimson 
and  yellow,  fled  before  the  moaning  chant 
of  winter  as  she  wrapped  her  winding- 
sheet  of  glistening  snow  around  her  skele- 
ton form.  Her  biting  breath  had  forced 
the  colonists  to  build  log  cabins  for  shelter. 
E oaring  fires  in  the  great  chimney  places 
gave  warmth  to  their  bodies,  but  could  not 
satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger.  Most  of 
their  ammunition  had  been  squandered 
along  with  their  provisions,  and  only  the 
daily  visits  of  Pocahontas  now  saved  them 
from  starvation. 

Few  among  the  colonists  had  any  love 
for  Captain  Smith.  True,  his  popularity 
had  been  great  for  a  while  after  he  had 
forced  Wingfield  to  abandon  the  pinnace  a 
second  time;  but  it  soon  waned,  and  his 
daj^s  were  made  miserable  with  suspicion 
and  taunts. 

^^I  will  leave  them  to  their  fate  and  go 
in  search  of  the  South  Sea,  which  men  say 
is  only  two  hundred  miles  to  the  west- 
ward,''  he  said  to  himself. 

Acting  upon  this  determination,  he  took 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  67 

SIX  men  and  two  Indian  guides,  and  started 
up  the  James.  Soon  he  came  to  the  Chicka- 
hominy,  upon  whose  chocolate-colored 
breast  the  wild  geese  and  swans  were 
floating. 

At  the  same  time  he  left  Jamestown  an 
Indian  was  traveling  with  all  speed  to  carry 
a  message  from  Wingfield  to  Opechan- 
canough. 

^'Father  Smith  comes  your  way.  Kill 
him,  and  twenty  guns  will  be  your  reward, '  ^ 
was  the  message. 

Seeing  a  column  of  smoke  rising  from 
among  the  trees,  Captain  Smith  com- 
manded liis  men  to  row  him  ashore.  Per- 
haps there  might  be  an  Indian  village 
there,  where  he  could  learn  something  about 
the  route  to  the  South  Sea.  Taking  with 
him  the  two  Indian  guides,  he  ordered  the 
others  to  row  to  the  center  of  the  stream 
and  await  his  coming. 

Hardly  had  he  disajDpeared  when  his 
orders  were  disobeved.  Robinson  and 
Emry  refused  to  row  back.  They  would 
do  some  exploring  on  their  own  account. 

Opechancanough  had  received  the  mes- 
sage sent  by  Wingfield.  As  soon  as 
Captain  Smith  was  out  of  sight,  his  men 
pounced  down  upon  Robinson  and  Emry 


68         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

and  added  their  scalps  to  their  belts.  Then 
they  started  in  pursuit  of  Smith. 

Not  suspecting  the  danger  dogging  his 
footsteps,  Captain  Smith  was  horrified  to 
see  one  of  the  Indians  drop  to  the  ground. 
Catching  hold  of  the  other,  he  bound  him  in 
front  of  himself,  and  turned  to  face  the 
enemy.  Arrows  flew  like  hail,  wounding 
him  in  the  thigh.  Throwing  off  the  Indian, 
he  plunged  into  the  stream,  hoping  to  escape 
his  pursuers.  In  his  disabled  condition  he 
was  soon  captured,  and  taken  by  the  gloat- 
ing savages  to  Opechancanough. 

Although  expecting  every  minute  to  be 
killed,  he  did  not  lose  his  presence  of  mind, 
but  began  devising  plans  for  delaying 
death,  if  only  for  a  short  while. 

Taking  from  his  pocket  a  little  ivory 
compass,  he  handed  it  to  the  cunning  chief. 

^^Look  at  this,  Opechancanough.  Turn 
it  about  and  try  to  touch  the  little  moving 
point. ' ' 

Opechancanough  did  so,  and  tried  to  put 
his  finger  upon  the  quivering  needle,  but 
found  a  hard  substance  came  between.  Still 
he  could  see  through  it,  and  turn  it  which- 
ever way  he  would,  the  needle  always  swung 
to  the  same  spot. 

A  grunt  expressive  of  admiring  awe 
burst  from  the  chief  and  was  echoed  by  his 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         69 

men  as  they  gazed  in  amazement  upon  the 
wonderful  thing. 

Opechancanough  and  his  warriors  then 
drew  aside  to  hold  a  consultation  as  to  the 
disposal  of  their  prisoner.  At  the  end  of 
a  few  minutes  four  warriors  came  forward, 
and  seizing  the  prisoner  bound  him  to  a 
tree.  The  rest  then  took  their  positions  in 
front  of  him,  with  arrows  strung  ready  to 
end  his  life. 

Eesigning  hope,  and  commending  his 
soul  to  God,  the  unhappy  soldier  awaited 
the  fatal  signal  from  Opechancanough. 
Just  as  the  warriors  raised  their  bows,  the 
chief  held  up  the  compass  and  they 
unstrung  their  arrows. 

'  ^  We  will  take  the  pale  face  to  Powhatan ; 
unbind  him,''  said  Opechancanough. 

Smith,  with  his  hands  tied  behind  him, 
was  placed  between  two  guards  and  the 
journey  to  Weriwocomoco  was  begun.  This 
place  was  the  chief  home  of  Powhatan. 
Here  he  had  his  treasure-house  filled 
with  skins,  copper  beads,  and  long  ropes 
of  pearls,  and  bows,  arrows,  and  the 
deadly  tomahawk  lay  heaped  together. 
On  the  one  side  lay  greed;  on  the  other, 
death.  The  whole  history  of  his  deal- 
ings with  the  colony  lay  in  those  two 
piles. 


70         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

When  Smith  arrived  there  he  was  car- 
ried into  a  large  room  with  mats  of  woven 
rushes  upon  the  floor.  In  the  center  a  roar- 
ing blaze  sent  its  puffing  breath  in  wreath- 
ing clouds  to  form  a  canopy  over  the 
bedstead  throne  placed  beside  it.  Two  hun- 
dred warriors  entered  and  ranged  them- 
selves in  double  rows  around  the  walls. 
From  behind  them  peeped  the  squaws 
dressed  in  fantastic  garb.  Their  faces 
and  shoulders  were  crimsoned  with  the 
juice  of  the  pokeberry.  Tufts  of  downy 
heron  feathers  swayed  above  their  jetty 
locks,  and  strings  of  white  beads  encircled 
their  necks. 

As  Powhatan  entered,  an  unearthly  shout 
split  the  air  and  sent  cold  shivers  over  the 
prisoner. 

Tall  and  gaunt  as  a  blasted  pine  was  the 
King  of  Virginia.  Sixty  years  had  etched 
their  passing  in  numerous  fine  lines 
upon  his  features.  Crafty  eyes,  partially 
obscured  by  half -closed  lids,  gave  a  sinister 
look  to  his  countenance.  A  magnificent 
robe  of  raccoon  skins  covered  his  majestic 
form,  and  the  great  bushy  tails  ringed  in 
black  waved  as  he  walked.  Four  youthful 
maidens  acted  as  his  bodyguard,  for  the 
decrepit  chief  greatly  loved  the  young  and 

gay. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         71 

As  John  Smith  looked  upon  this  living 
piece   of   granite,   hope   died   within   him. 

Calling  around  him  the  priests  of  Okee, 
Powhatan  inquired  of  them  the  will  of  the 
Terrible  One  concerning  the  prisoner. 

'^Let  it  be  as  Okee  wills,"  said  the  King. 
''Bring  a  stone  and  lay  his  head  upon  it." 

A  huge  stone  was  placed  in  front  of  the 
old  war-horse.  Dragging  Smith  forward, 
his  head  was  laid  upon  its  cold  bosom.  The 
savage  warriors,  with  uplifted  clubs, 
crowded  around  to  have  a  share  in  beating 
out  his  brains. 

From  among  the  women  in  the  back- 
ground sprang  Pocahontas,  and  threw  her- 
self at  her  father's  feet. 

"0  Powhatan,  spare  the  life  of  the 
stranger.  Beware  lest  you  anger  the  Great 
Spirit  of  the  pale  face.  He  is  mightier  than 
the  Okee  of  the  '  real  man. '  Will  Powhatan 
not  listen  to  Pocahontas,  daughter  of  the 
Water  Lily!" 

At  the  sound  of  that  loved  name,  Pow- 
hatan's eyelids  flickered  for  an  instant,  but 
no  sign  of  relenting  showed  upon  his  face. 

' '  The  pale  face  shall  die ;  Powhatan  has 
spoken. ' ' 

Bending  her  body,  she  clasped  the  head 
of  Captain  Smith  to  her  beating  bosom  and 
faced  her  father.     Then  the  soul  of  Vir- 


72         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare, 

ginia  Dare  battled  with  Powhatan  for  the 
life  of  the  captive. 

*' Powhatan  takes  the  life  of  the  stranger ; 
he  shall  also  slay  his  best-loved  daughter. 
Pocahontas  has  spoken. '' 

With  a  passionate  movement  she  laid  her 
face  against  that  of  the  prisoner,  and  her 
clond  of  hair  covered  them  both  with  its 
dusky  mantle. 

For  three  long  minutes  a  deathlike  silence 
hung  over  the  crowded  room.  Only  the 
falling  of  a  crackling  branch  sawn  asunder 
by  the  fiery  tooth  of  the  flame  disturbed 
the  pulsating  air.  Powhatan  moved  on  his 
throne  and  the  spell  was  broken. 

^^  Pocahontas  has  saved  the  pale  face 
from  death.  He  shall  be  kept  a  prisoner 
to  make  hatchets  for  Powhatan  and  beads 
for  Pocahontas. ' ' 

Captain  Smith  was  then  removed  to  a 
lonely  house  in  the  woods,  under  a  guard 
of  four  warriors. 

Each  day  Pocahontas  came  with  food  for 
the  young  soldier,  and  as  he  ate  he  told  her 
many  stories  of  the  lands  across  the  sea. 

*^To  the  eastward  lies  the  land  of  the 
pale  faces.  There  they  live  in  great  houses, 
tall  as  trees.  Many  openings  for  the  sun- 
light  to  come  in  are  filled  with  a  substance 
clear  as  water,  but  hard  and  brittle.    The 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         73 

walls  are  hung  in  great  pieces  of  cloth  to 
keep  out  the  winter's  cold.  When  the  war- 
riors go  a-journey  they  ride  upon  a  four- 
legged  animal  called  a  horse.  Also  the 
squaws  and  maidens  cover  their  whole 
bodies." 

"Here  and  here?"  said  Pocahontas, 
touching  her  bared  breast  and  arms. 

'^Yes,"  replied  the  courageous  Captain. 
^  *  Not  even  an  arm  can  be  seen. ' ' 

"Tell  Pocahontas  what  lies  beyond  the 
setting  sun." 

"To  the  westward  live  a  people  whose 
skin  is  much  like  that  of  Pocahontas.  Per- 
haps in  the  beginning  of  things  your  peo- 
ple wandered  from  that  land  to  this.  There 
they  walk  with  their  feet  pressed  against 


ours. ' ' 


Pocahontas  marveled  much  at  his  won- 
derful narratives,  and  the  cliild's  love  for 
the  pale  face  grew  in  strength  every  day. 

"O  Pocahontas,"  came  in  accents  trem- 
ulous with  emotion,  "you  have  saved  my 
life  and  given  back  hope  to  my  heart.  You 
are  as  dear  to  me  as  a  daughter  to  her 
father ;  hereafter  I  will  be  your  father  and 
I  shall  call  you  child. 

Seizing  his  hands,  she  pressed  her  lips 
upon  them  and  her  happy  heart  made 
answer. 


74         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

^  ^  Pocahontas  is  content,  for  then  she  will 
be  a  child  of  the  pale  faces." 

x\fter  two  days'  imprisonment  a  horrible 
figure  dressed  as  Satan  ai^peared  before 
Smith.  Unearthly  yells,  such  as  lost  souls 
doubtless  utter,  came  from  the  throats  of 
two  hundred  black  figures  who  accompanied 
this  apparition.  Powhatan  and  his  war- 
riors had  come  to  see  if  they  could  make  the 
Captain  tremble  before  the  terrors  of  the 
devil. 

Not  a  muscle  of  Captain  Smith's  face 
moved,  although  an  icy  hand  gripped  at  his 
heart.  His  composure  astonished  Pow- 
hatan. Truly  this  was  a  wonderful  war- 
rior whom  not  even  Okee  could  force  to 
cringe.  It  were  better  to  have  his  friend- 
ship than  his  enmity.  No  doubt  he  was  an 
oracle  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

So  Powhatan  left  otf  his  incantations  and 
sat  down  before  the  prisoner.  He  was  now, 
he  said,  the  friend  of  Father  Smith,  whom 
he  would  henceforth  love  as  a  son,  and 
would  give  him  land  over  which  to  rule. 
He  should  go  back  to  Jamestown  and  send 
him  two  great  guns  and  a  grindstone. 

This  the  Captain  gladly  promised  to  do. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

In  the  cold  light  of  a  wintry  morning 
Smith  appeared  in  Jamestown,  escorted  by 
twelve  warriors  headed  by  Rawhunt.  The 
joyful  shout  of  those  who  had  stood  his 
friends  warmed  his  heart.  How  sweetly 
sound  the  voices  of  friends  when  one  is 
delivered  from  deadly  peril!  All  came  to 
shake  his  hand  and  rejoice  over  him, 
except  the  malicious  Wingfield  and  the  band 
of  plotters.  ^Hiat  evil  combination  of  cir- 
cumstances had  brought  back  the  main- 
spring to  set  the  watch  to  wlork  again,  and 
destroy  their  well-laid  plans  for  sailing  for 
home  in  the  pinnace!  Wingfield  imme- 
diately set  to  work  again  to  hatch  another 
plot  for  getting  rid  of  the  hated  Cap- 
tain. 

^'Ratclitfe,  I  have  thought  of  a  plan 
whereby  we  may  soon  put  an  end  to  this 
doughty  soldier.  We  will  say  that  accord- 
ing to  the  Levitical  Law  his  life  should  pay 
the  forfeit  for  the  death  of  Robinson  and 
Emry. ' ' 

'^An  excellent  idea,''  returned  Ratcliffe. 
^'I  tell  you,  man,  your  brains  are  worth 


76         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

their  weight  in  gold.  We  have  enough  men 
on  our  side  to  condemn  him.  I,  as  gov- 
ernor, will  call  the  council  together  and 
speedily  settle  matters,  then  we  can  return 
home  from  this  God-forsaken  country.'' 

So  Captain  Smith  was  again  brought 
before  his  judges  to  plead  for  his  life.  No 
protestations  of  innocence  were  of  any 
avail,  for  the  Jeffreys  of  the  court  had 
already  decided  on  his  doom.  Wingfield, 
as  presiding  judge,  rose  to  deliver  sen- 
tence, his  evil  heart  gloating  over  each 
word  he  uttered. 

^  ^  To-morrow  at  noon  you  shall  be  hanged 
by  the  neck  until  dead.''.. 

Lying  in  the  wooden  fort,  guarded  by 
grim  and  vengeful  men,  John  Smith's 
thoughts  went  traveling  over  the  years  of 
his  life.  Again  he  was  a  slave  in  the  land 
of  the  Turks.  God  had  rescued  him 
through  His  agent,  the  beautiful  princess. 
Perhaps  He  would  again  send  a  deliverer 
if  his  faith  remained  strong. 

Before  the  curtains  of  night  parted  to 
let  the  sun-god  roll  his  chariot  through,  the 
ship  of  Captain  Newport  came  sailing  up 
the  stream.  It  was  an  answer  to  John 
Smith's  prayers. 

A  joyful  clamor  of  voices  mingled  with 
the  barking  of  dogs  greeted  the  tough  old 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  77 

sea  captain  as  he  made  his  way  down  the 
ship's  ladder. 

^'What  is  the  news  from  home!  Whom 
have  you  brought  over?  Have  you  food 
and  apparel  on  board,  and  where  are  the 
letters!"  The  questions  were  eager  and 
numberless. 

''One  thing  at  a  time,"  answered  the 
worthy  old  sea-dog.  ''Do  you  expect  us 
to  stand  here  in  the  freezing  cold  to  give 
you  news!  Lead  the  way  to  a  fire  where 
we  may  thaw  the  marrow  in  our  bones. 
Gad,  but  you  have  the  coldest  ice-house 
over  here  it  has  ever  been  mv  lot  to  enter ! " 

The  whole  procession  then  made  its  way 
to  the  fort,  as  it  was  the  largest  house  of 
accommodation.  Great  sticks  of  jDitch  pine 
lighted  up  the  interior  and  revealed  the 
prisoner  lying  in  a  corner. 

"What  is  the  meaning  of  this  outrage!" 
thundered  iSTewport.  "Why  is  Captain 
Smith  a  prisoner?" 

His  questions  were  soon  answered,  and, 
turning  fiercely  upon  Ratcliffe,  he  hurled 
maledictions  upon  him. 

"Release  him  instantly  or  else  some 
other  gibbering  head  will  adorn  the  gal- 
lows to-morrow!  I  will  be  answerable  to 
the  London  Company. ' ' 

Captain  Smith's  guards  sullenly  undid 


78         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare. 

liis  bonds,  and  he  came  forward  to  hear 
the  news  from  home.  First  he  cast  his 
eyes  upon  the  new  adventurers,  and  he  saw 
that  no  liope  for  the  settlement  lay  in  them. 
Soft,  cushiony  hands  w'ere  not  going  to 
wield  the  axe  and  sight  the  gun. 

Seating  himself  upon  a  rough  stool 
before  the  fire,  the  messenger  from  home 
began  to  dole  out  his  packet  of  mail. 

''Two  for  you,  Martin,  three  for  Rat- 
cliffe,  and  one  for  you,  WingJffeld.  Looks 
like  a  woman's  hand  and  an  uneducated  one 
at  that.  Nothing  for  you,  Laydon,  I  am 
sorry  to  say.'' 

The  fortunate  ones  eagerly  seized  their 
letters  and  were  soon  deep  in  their  contents. 
Those  who  had  received  no  mail  clamored 
for  news. 

''Fair  and  softly.  Give  me  time  to  get 
my  breath,  and  one  of  you  men  fetch  me  a 
cup  of  sack  from  yonder  package  near  the 
door.  Ah,"  came  his  voice  between  his 
gulps,  "how  liquor  warms  the  cockles  of  a 
man's  heart.    Now  I  will  begin. 

' '  First  of  all,  the  reading  of  the  Word  of 
God"— here  he  lifted  his  hat  reverently— 
"is  rapidly  spreading  among  the  poor  as 
well  as  the  rich.  Men's  minds  are  more 
set  on  serious  things  than  in  the  reign  of 
our  good  'Queen  Bess,'  God  rest  her  soul! 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         79 

The  Puritan  sect  is  making  great  headway, 
but  I  do  not  like  their  sour  looks  and  lank 
hair. ' ' 

^'How  are  King  Janies  and  Parliament 
getting  on!"  said  George  Percy.  '^And 
what  of  my  kinsman,  Lord  Percy!" 

''Ill,  man,  ill.  King  James  is  driving 
Parliament  to  distraction  by  his  forced 
lewing  of  taxes  and  reckless  expenditure 
of  money  without  their  consent.  I  do  not 
know  how  long  they  will  hold  out.  To  all 
their  remonstrances  he  replies,  'I  am  King 
by  divine  right,  and  am  under  no  duty  to 
consult  anv  will  but  mine  own.'  As  for 
your  kinsman,  Lord  Percy,  he  still  keeps 
Sir  Walter  Ealeigh  company  in  the  Tower 
of  London.  All  the  brilliant  wits  of  the  day 
visit  them.  Chief  among  them  is  Will 
Shakespeare.  That  canting  Scotchman 
Carr,  now  Earl  of  Somerset,  if  you  please, 
has  the  upper  hand  at  Court.  Strange 
rumors  are  afloat  concerning  the  murder 
of  Overby.  It  is  whispered  that  Carr  and 
his  wife,  once  Lady  Essex,  had  a  hand  in 
that;  and  hark,  a  word  in  your  ear,  the 
London  Company  is  mightily  disgruntled 
because  no  gold  has  been  sent  back  from 
the  colony.  You  gallants  get  to  work  and 
hunt  for  the  precious  metal.'' 

' '  Put  not  such  thoughts  into  their  heads, ' ' 


80         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

interposed  Captain  Smith  in  a  whisper. 
*'I  tell  you  there  is  no  gold  in  these  parts. 
Better  exhort  them  to  set  to  work  and  put 
this  settlement  on  a  firm  basis.  Just  now^ 
it  is  like  a  city  built  on  shifting  sand.  Dis- 
content and  jealousy  rock  the  government 
like  a  ship  in  a  storm. '  * 


CHAPTER   IX 

''Fire,  fire!''  The  cry  rang  out  over 
the  settlement. 

Scurrying  figures  hastened  from  all 
directions  to  the  storehouse  from  whence 
volumes  of  flame  leaped  in  frenzy.  The 
wild  wind  swept  the  licking  tongues  over 
to  the  fort,  and  explosions  of  gunpowder 
shook  the  ground,  scattering  the  sparks  in 
every  direction.  In  two  hours'  time  every 
cabin  lay  a  smouldering  mass  of  spluttering 
flames  and  charred  embers.  Poor,  unfortu- 
nate colonv!  Was  the  relentless  hand  of 
fate  crushing  them  out  with  resistless 
power!  Those  who  make  no  effort  to  take 
their  part  in  the  world's  work  she  ever 
pushes  to  the  wall.  Perhaps  they  were  but 
reaping  as  they  had  sown. 

''Lose  not  your  courage,  my  men!" 
pleaded  Chaplain  Hunt.  "God  has  not 
deserted  us.  It  is  but  a  testing  sent  to 
purify  our  hearts.  Go  to  work  and  rebuild 
vour  cabins  immediatelv  and  He  will  vet 
smile  ux)on  your  efforts." 

Wliat  a  noble  heart  lay  enshrined  in  the 
body  of  this  Ambassador  of  God.  With 
nothing  left  but  the  clothes  he  wore,  and  his 


82         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

dearly  loved  books  but  blackened  ashes,  he 
conld  vet  trust  his  Maker,  and  await  with 
loving  faith  the  fulfibnent  of  His  promises. 

His  words  of  encouragement  found  no 
responsive  echo  in  their  hearts.  They  gave 
themselves  up  to  despair,  and  their  utmost 
efforts  resulted  only  in  the  digging  of  holes 
in  the  ground  and  covering  them  with  pine 
boughs  as  a  sleeping-place. 

A  year  has  passed  by,  and  here  they  are 
in  the  bleak  month  of  January  without  food 
or  shelter.  Nothing  gained  and  all  lost 
since  they  set  sail  from  England. 

The  food  brought  over  by  Newport's 
ships,  together  with  two  hundred  bushels 
of  corn  which  he  and  Captain  Smith  had 
gotten  from  Powhatan,  have  all  gone  to 
feed  the  flames.  A  little  meal  doled  out 
from  the  ship's  store  is  all  they  have. 


CHAPTER    X 

A  white,  silent  world,  sliimmering  under 
the  brilliance  of  a  full  moon  riding  high  in 
the  lighted  heavens.  The  gnarled  boughs 
of  twisted  trees  cast  their  inky  shadows  in 
fantastic  tracery  over  its  glistening  surface. 

Seated  around  a  roaring  fire  were  some 
ten  or  twelve  men,  wrapped  in  their  long 
cloaks  and  vainly  endeavoring  to  warm 
their  aching  limbs.  Among  them  was 
a  newcomer,  Adam  Clotworthy,  a  rol- 
licking blade  whom  no  misfortune  seemed 
to  chill.  His  great  round  body,  cov- 
ered with  a  quilted  doublet  of  scarlet 
cloth,  rocked  from  side  to  side  on  legs 
so  short  there  seemed  no  room  for 
joints  at  the  knees.  Stubby  black  hair  shot 
out  around  a  face  in  which  sly  humor  and 
common  sense  were  blended  together  by  an 
expression  of  human  kindness.  A  brown 
eye  and  a  blue  eye,  never  looking  in  the 
same  direction,  stood  sentinel  on  either  side 
of  a  huge  nose  that  had  a  trick  of  working 
at  the  end  when  he  talked. 

Coming  now  to  the  side  of  Kendall,  he 
poked  him  in  the  ribs  with  his  elbow. 


84         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

''Draw  up  your  long  shanks  a  bit  and 
give  a  man  room  to  sit  down.'' 

With  a  muttered  growl  Kendall  made 
room  as  Adam  desired.  Gathering  his 
cloak  closely  around  him,  Adam  squashed 
down  upon  the  ground  like  a  ripe  tomato, 
from  under  which  two  huge  boots  stuclv 
out  straight  in  front.  His  legs  had  dis- 
appeared under  his  mountain  of  flesh. 

Captain  Smith  could  not  forbear  joining 
in  the  shout  of  laughter  that  burst  involun- 
tarily from  the  rest  of  the  company. 

Not  in  the  least  disconcerted  by  their 
laughter,  Adam  squirmed  around  until  he 
had  made  himself  comfortable,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  open  conversation  with  the  grim 
and  scowling  men  around  him. 

''By  my  faith,  Martin,  you  look  like  a 
mourner  at  a  funeral!  Take  heart,  man; 
perhaps  the  'Injun'  lady  you  told  me 
about  will  step  over  to-morrow  with  a 
bushel  or  two  of  corn  and  a  brace  of 
wild  turkeys.  Gad,  I  can  smell  'em  roast- 
ing now." 

"Quit  your  talk  about  food,  or  I  will 
break  every  bone  in  your  body ;  that  is,  all 
that  haven't  turned  to  grease,"  said  Ken- 
dall with  a  scowl. 

Misery  again  settled  upon  the  faces  of  the 
men    as    thev   unconsciously    licked   their 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare,         85 

cracked  lips  at  the  mention  of  the  savory 
turkeys. 

^'Jealousy,  man;  pure  jealousy  is  your 
disease/^  returned  Adam  with  a  sly  wink 
of  his  brown  eye.  ''If  you  had  more  flesh 
on  that  skeleton  of  yours  you  would  not  be 
looking  through  blue  spectacles,  and  we 
would  not  be  compelled  to  study  anatomy 
all  the  time. 

''I'll  tell  you  a  tale  about  a  real  fat 
man  I  saw  once.  It  happened  down  at  the 
'Three  Swans'  just  at  Christmas  time.  I 
stopped  there  for  dinner,  and  I  tell  you  it 
was  worth  eating.  First  there  was  a  roast 
pig—" 

"Didn't  I  tell  you  to  quit  talking  about 
food!"  bellowed  Kendall. 

' '  Marry,  man,  but  you  are  hard  to  please. 
Whoever  heard  of  a  tavern  without  food  of 
some  kind,  even  if  it  were  only  a  posset  of 
ale,  with  a  roasted  apple  bobbing  around  in 
it  as  it  simmers  beside  the  fireplace.  As  I 
was  saying—" 

Crack,  snap !  silence.    Crack,  snap !  again. 

Hastily  jumping  to  their  feet,  with  their 
muskets  ready  for  action,  the  frightened 
men  peered  into  the  shadows.  A  low,  gasp- 
ing sob  floated  out  to  them. 

"  'Tis  Pocahontas,"  said  Captain  Smith, 
and  hastened  into  the  shadows.     He  soon 


86         The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

came  into  the  light,  half  supporting  her 
almost  frozen  body  as  she  stumbled  into  the 
firelight.  Her  short  deer  skirt,  soaked  with 
water,  clanked  its  frozen  folds  together  as 
she  walked,  and  her  long  black  hair  was 
matted  with  ice.  Forgotten  were  cold  and 
hunger  as  the  men  quickly  threw  their 
cloaks  upon  the  ground  to  make  her  a  seat, 
while  George  Percy  wrapped  his  around 
her.  Captain  Smith  seated  himself  beside 
her,  and  as  he  gently  chafed  her  hands, 
spoke  soothing  words  in  an  endeavor  to 
check  her  hysterical  sobs. 

^^My  little  child,  my  doe,  3^our  father  is 
with  you.  All  is  well.  See,  your  friends 
are  all  around  you.  There  now,  my  little 
one,  do  not  speak  until  you  are  warm. ' ' 

Gradually  the  puckering  lips  smoothed 
themselves  into  a  trembling  smile  as  he 
wiped  the  tears  away.  For  a  moment  Poca- 
hontas forgot  her  errand  in  the  delight  of 
being  with  him;  but  with  remembrance 
fear  came  rushing  back,  and  springing  to 
her  feet  she  gasped  out : 

'^Before  another  moon  Powhatan  will  be 
upon  you !  Already  men  are  on  their  way 
bearing  gifts.  Do  not  be  deceived.  Two 
hundred  warriors  are  behind  them  armed 
with  the  scalping-knife.  Pocahontas  has 
traveled    many   miles    through    the    snow 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         87 

and  waded   streams   to   bring  her  father 
warning. ' ' 

^^0  my  little  child,  you  have  risked  your 
life  again!''  cried  Captain  Smith  as  he 
folded  her  in  his  embrace. 

''Pocahontas  loves  the  pale  face  better 
than  life,"  she  answered,  cuddling  down 
into  his  arms.  ''Joy  sings  in  her  heart 
when  she  dreams  she  is  a  maiden  of  your 
people  and  the  daughter  of  her  pale  face 
father. ' ' 

The  faces  of  the  sternest  men  worked  as 
they  leaned  on  their  muskets  and  listened  to 
the  recital  of  her  brave  deed. 

"Faith,''  said  Adam,  "I  haven't  had  so 
much  salt  water  in  my  eye  since  old  Father 
Neptune  ploughed  up  his  farm,  coming 
over. ' ' 

Running  their  hands  into  their  capacious 
pockets,  the  men  brought  forth  bells  and 
beads  and  offered  them  to  her  in  token  of 
gratitude.  She  shook  her  head,  and  great 
tears  welled  up,  splashing  down  upon  the 
presents  lying  in  her  lap. 

"Pocahontas  dare  not  take  them, 
although  she  likes  them  much.  Powhatan 
will  kill  her  if  he  learns  she  has  given 
warning." 

"I  have  something  she  will  take,"  said 
Adam,  drawing  forth  a  small  mirror.     "I 


88        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

have  yet  to  see  the  maiden  who  would  not 
look  at  herself  every  chance  she  got/*  So 
saying,  he  rocked  himself  forward  and 
started  to  lay  it  in  her  lap. 

Catching  sight  of  him  for  the  first  time, 
she  gave  a  shriek  and  buried  her  face  in 
Smith's  breast. 

^  ^  Okee,  Okee ! ' '  she  wailed. 

*^Now  whatever  do  vou  make  of  thatT* 
exclaimed  the  astonished  Adam.  ^*Who  in 
the  devil  is  Okee  V 

'  ^  That 's  just  what  he  is,  the  devil, ' '  said 
Kendall,  laughing  grimly.  **  Truly  a  fine 
compliment  from  a  primitive  Eve  to  an 
ardent  Adam." 

^'No,  no,  my  child.  No  Okee,''  said  Cap- 
tain Smith,  smoothing  her  hair.  ^^He  is  a 
good  kind  friend  and  likes  Pocahontas." 

** Likes,"  sniffed  the  discomfited  Adam, 
^^I  never  got  as  far  as  liking.  She  didn't 
give  me  time." 

Eeluctantly  putting  aside  Captain 
Smith's  enfolding  arms,  she  rose  to  her 
feet. 

*  *  Pocahontas  must  go.  Already  the  moon 
is  seeking  her  bed." 

*  ^  You  must  not  go  by  yourself,  my  child, ' ' 
remonstrated  Smith.  ^^If  Powhatan's  men 
meet  you,  they  will  take  you  to  him  and  he 
will  kill  you. ' ' 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         89 

**  Pocahontas  is  content.  Has  she  not 
saved  her  father  and  the  pale  faces?  Also 
she  must  go  alone." 

One  moment  she  smiled  upon  them,  and 
the  next  she  had  gone. 


CHAPTER   XI 

Relentless  fate  came  yet  again  and  blind- 
folded the  colonists  with  a  veil  of  golden 
gauze. 

On  a  frosty  morning,  as  one  of  the  men 
walked  by  a  little  stream,  he  saw  a  shining 
substance  glistening  in  the  sand.  Snatching 
up  a  handful,  he  ran  as  fast  as  possible  to 
where  George  Martin  was  standing. 

''Look,  Master  Martin;  see  if  this  be  not 
goldr' 

Taking  the  earth  into  his  hand,  the  refiner 
of  precious  metals  examined  the  glistening 
mass  carefully,  turning  it  over  and  over  in 
his  hand. 

''Yes,  it  is  gold,"  said  he. 

"Gold,  gold!"  veiled  the  man  at  the  top 
of  his  voice. 

At  the  magic  word  every  man  started 
into  life,  stumbling  over  one  another  in  their 
efforts  to  secure  spade  and  pickaxe  and 
join  the  maddened  crowd  hastening  to  the 
stream.  Puffing  and  blowing  like  a  seal, 
Adam  Clotworthy  waddled  along,  bringing 
up  the  rear,  his  spade  dragging  behind 
him. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         91 

Did  unused  muscles  ache!  Let  them. 
Cracked  and  bleeding  hands  smarted  under 
blisters.  Who  cared?  Was  not  the  precious 
metal  lying  in  tons  before  their  eyes? 

^^Try  and  put  a  stop  to  this  digging  of 
fool's  gold/'  begged  Captain  Smith  of 
Robert  Hunt. 

**I  can  do  nothing  while  this  fever  rages 
in  their  veins.  If  you  look  at  their  frenzied 
faces  and  bloodshot  eyes  you  will  see  that 
my  efforts  would  be  useless.  Even  New- 
port has  joined  in  the  mad  rush.  His  boat 
will  soon  be  loaded,  and  after  his  departure 
we  may  be  able  to  do  something." 

The  warm  breath  of  spring  was  upon 
them  before  Captain  Newport  sailed  down 
the  stream  with  his  valuable  cargo.  All  of 
the  gold  diggers  gathered  on  the  beach  to 
witness  his  departure.  Here  and  there  the 
superstitious  ones  threw  a  few  beads  into 
the  water  for  luck,  as  they  had  seen  the 
Indians  do  when  starting  on  a  voyage. 

After  the  ships  had  drifted  out  of  sight, 
Captain  Smith  began  to  urge  the  colonists  to 
rebuild  the  fort  and  cabins. 

'^Even  if  the  cargo  turns  out  to  be  gold, 
you  cannot  leave  this  country  unless  you 
receive  a  special  passport  from  King 
James,  and  that  no  doubt  will  be  long  in 
coming.    Perhaps  if  you  prove  industrious, 


92         The.  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

the  Company  will  in  time  give  each  of  you 
a  house,  and  land  to  till  for  your  own  gain. 
But  until  they  see  some  fruit  from  you, 
nothing  will  be  forthcoming  for  your 
benefit. ' ' 

This  advice  seemed  reasonable,  and  as 
summer  was  now  approaching  and  fish 
abounded  in  the  stream,  the  colonists  started 
to  rebuild  the  fort  and  cabins. 

John  Laydon,  master  carpenter  and 
wood-carver,  superintended  the  work, 
reserving  for  his  especial  care  the  erection 
of  a  commodious  church  to  take  the  place 
of  the  old  affair  of  rough  logs  and  reed- 
thatched  roof,  the  successor  of  the  sail 
stretched  between  the  elms. 

Choosing  two  fair  and  goodly  cedars,  he 
shaped  them  into  an  altar  and  carved  upon 
the  front  a  cross  with  a  grape  vine  clinging 
to  it,  and  the  fragrant  incense  of  the  cedar 
swept  upward  with  the  prayers  of  the  colon- 
ists when  once  a  month  they  knelt  to  receive 
the  Holv  Communion. 

The  tilled  fields  began  to  show  tender 
green  shoots  of  corn  and  clinging  bean 
against  the  rich  dark  loam.  Gradually 
order  was  emerging  out  of  chaos  under  the 
energetic  supervision  of  Captain  John 
Smith,  who  set  the  example  of  industry  by 
his  own  hard  work. 


CHAPTER  XjX 

On  a  briglit  sunny  morning  in  May  the 
dewdrops  were  still  sleeping  in  the  cups  of 
the  flowers  when  Pocahontas  arrived  at 
Jamestown.  A  subdued  excitement  sparkled 
in  her  eyes  and  her  parted  lips  could  scarce 
keep  back  the  eager  speech.  Hastily  seek- 
ing out  Captain  Smith,  she  said,  ^^Last 
night  a  vision  came  to  Pocahontas  out  of 
the  spirit-land.  She  comes  to  her  father 
to  know  its  meaning.'' 

Leading  her  to  a  grassy  knoll  beside  the 
lapping  w^aters,  and  drawing  her  down 
beside  him,  he  replied,  ''Speak  on,  mv 
child. ' ' 

''Listen  and  Pocahontas  will  tell  you. 

*Trom  the  north  came   the  maiden   of  darkness 

Floating  on  shadowy  pinions, 

To  brood  over  the  sleeping  hamlet. 

Now  and  then  the  bird  of  ill  omen 

Sent  its  melancholy  notes  through  the  forests, 

Like  the  plaintive  wail  of  the  dying. 

On  her  embroidered  pillow  of  leather. 

Made  soft  with  the  breast  of  the  heron, 

Lay  Pocahontas,  daughter  of   Powhatan. 

Softly  the  spirit   of  slumber 

Lowered   the    curtains    of   vision, 

And  carried  her  forth  .to  the  forest. 

Down   where   the   water   willow 

Washes  her  silver  laces 


94:        The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

A  brawling  brook  was  resting 

In  a  hollow  lined  with  lilies. 

The  blue-gQmmed  dragon-fly 

Rippled  its  ]facid  surface 

With  touches  light  as  a  zephyr. 

Kneeling  over  its  brink  to  gather 

The  rounded  pink  and   white  pebbles, 

Lining  its  soft  sandy  bottom, 

She  saw  her   laughing  reflection 

Bending  its  head  in  sweet  greeting. 

A  chill  of  fear  swept  over  her 

Like  an  icy  blast  from  the  north. 

Gradually  her  picture  was  changing 

Into  some  one  she  knew  and  she  knew  not. 

The  blue-black  veil   of   her    hair 

Faded  away  like  a  vision  in  dreams. 

In  its  place  long  waves  of  sunshine 

Swept  its  billows  o'er  her  shoulders. 

The  copper-tinted    skin   of   her  .tribe 

Gave  place  to  the  hue  of  the  lily, 

And  eyes,  gray  like  the  coat  of  the  pigeon, 

Pleaded  tenderly  for  love  and  compassion. 

'Mother,'  sprung  to  .the  lips  of  Pocahontas 

Like  an  arrow  shot  from  the  bow ; 

And  'Daughter,'  answered  the  vision. 

In  accents  as  soft  as  music. 

As  the  picture  slowly  faded 

And  Pocahontas  raised  her  head, 

A  wide  plain  stretched  before  her 

Where  the  forest  once  had  stood. 

And  the  pale-faces  of  your  people 

Were  as  many  as  the  sands  of  the  sea. 

Far  away  where  the  wintry  sun 

Sinks  into  its  bed  to  rest. 

There  the  diminished  tribes  of  my  people 

Wandered  alone  and  forsaken." 


^' Truly   a    strange    dream,    my   child," 
Smith  slowly  replied.     '^The  Great  Spirit 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare         9'5 

5ends  me  no  answer.  We  must  look  to  the 
coming  years  for  its  m_eaning.  Of  one 
thing  I  am  certain,  the  God  of  tlie  wliite 
man  has  you  in  His  keeping.  No  harm 
shall  come  to  Pocahontas,  His  ministering 
angel. ' ' 


CHAPTER  XIII 

In  the  meantime,  another  ship,  the 
Phoenix,  arrived  at  Jamestown  with  a 
large  amount  of  provisions  and  more  set- 
tlers. Peace  and  prosperity  sent  their 
flickering  smiles  to  warm  the  hearts  of  all. 

The  honest  captain  of  the  Phoenix 
brought  with  him  a  letter  ordering  Smith 
to  go  again  in  search  of  the  South  Sea. 
This  command  exactlv  suited  the  adventur- 

*'■ 

ous  spirit  of  the  gallant  soldier,  and  taking 
with  him  fourteen  men,  among  them  Adam 
Clotworthy,  he  started  up  the  Chesapeake. 
Sailing  along  its  low  shores  fringed  with 
fragrant  verdure,  and  interlaced  with  sil- 
ver ribbons,  where  the  York  and  Potomac 
pour  in  their  waters,  they  met  with  many 
adventures.  Far  up  its  waters  they  jour- 
neyed until  the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna 
was  reached.  Then  turning  southward 
again,  they  entered  a  wide  basin  where  in 
time  to  come  ships  from  many  foreign 
lands  would  disgorge  their  load  of  human 
freight,  gathered  at  every  port  beyond  the 
seas.  Golden-haired,  ruddy-cheeked  giants 
of  the  Norseland  would  tower  above  the 
dark-eyed,  small-statured    sons    of    Italy. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  97 

Fair  Baltimore— set  as  a  glowing  ruby 
between  the  diamonds  of  the  North  and 
the  opals  of  the  South. 

Journeying  up  the  Potomac,  they  came 
upon  Japazaws,  a  werowance  of  Powhatan. 
Just  as  the  sun  was  lighting  up  the  horizon, 
Captain  Smith  moored  his  barge  and 
stepped  ashore.  Before  even  greeting  the 
chief,  he  and  his  men  knelt  for  morning 
prayer,  then  rising  to  their  feet  joined  in 
the  second  canticle.  Instantly  the  crowd  of 
dusky  savages  turned  as  one  man  to  greet 
the  rising  sun,  and  a  ''fearful  song"  to 
Aurora  blended  its  wail  with  the  Te  Deum 
chanted  to  the  Trinity.  After  this  ''fear- 
some chant"  had  ended,  Japazaws  made  a 
ring  of  dried  tobacco  upon  the  ground 
into  which  the  braves  cast  pieces  of  copper, 
at  the  same  time  prostrating  themselves 
upon  the  ground. 

Bidding  good-by  to  Japazaws,  our  party 
sailed  down  to  the  York  River,  and  leis- 
urely ascending  its  broad  waters,  came  into 
the  Pamunkey. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

Black  billows  of  rolling  clouds,  their 
ragged  edges  gold-rimined  by  the  full- 
orbed  moon,  raced  with  mighty  speed 
across  the  heavens.  Hidden  in  a  mass  of 
dense  trees  whose  matted  branches  were 
interwoven  with  tangled  vines  stood  the 
temple  of  Okee.  The  rank  vegetation 
exhaled  poisonous  vapors  which  were 
absorbed  by  the  stagnant  waters  of  the 
slimy  marsh,  and  wild  yells  of  demons 
came  in  weird  and  faint  echoes  to  the  ears 
of  the  English  voyagers  on  the  banks  of 
the  Pamunkey. 

'  ^  Now  what  on  earth  can  that  be  T '  cried 
Adam.  ''Surely  all  the  angels  of  Satan 
must  be  in  that  swamp." 

''We  will  reconnoiter, ' '  said  Smith. 

"Have  you  gone  daft,  man!  Do  you 
want  them  to  seize  you  by  the  hair  and  bear 
you  otf  to  toast  on  a  pitchfork?" 

"You  should  not  be  afraid  of  your 
familiar  friends,"  returned  the  Captain, 
his  brown  eyes  twinkling.  "Pocahontas 
said  you  were  the  chief  of  the  terrible  tribe. 
Who  will  go  with  me  to  reconnoiter?"  he 
added. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare  99 

^'I  will  go/'  spoke  up  Adam,  ^'I  might 
just  as  well  be  scalped  there  as  here,'' 

-'I  thought  yon  were  afraid!"  taunted 
a  fellow  voyager. 

^^I  am  safer  with  Smith  than  with  you. 
He  is  worth  all  the  rest  of  the  colony  put 
together. ' ' 

'^Now  listen  to  my  instructions,  men," 
said  the  Captain.  ^ '  If  any  danger  threatens 
us,  I  will  cry  ^ Saint  George,'  and  do  four 
of  you  fellows  come  to  our  aid,  while  the 
rest  stand  ready  to  push  off  the  boat. ' ' 

Armed  with  their  muskets  and  powder- 
horns.  Captain  Smith  and  Adam  Clot- 
worthy  started  on  their  perilous  adventure 
through  the  dark  swamp.  Knowledge  of 
danger  was  to  Captain  Smith  like  the 
scent  of  battle  to  the  pawing  war-horse. 
His  spirits  rose  at  every  step.  Not  so  the 
worthy  Adam;  his  courage  drained  down 
to  his  toes  as  he  stumbled  along  over 
deceitful  hillocks  showing  dimly  under  the 
fitful  light  of  the  moon.  Choosing  an  emi- 
nence covered  with  lush  grass,  he  stepped 
upon  it.  Immediately  it  gave  away  and 
he  slid  down  into  a  pool  filled  with  black, 
slimy  ooze. 

''They  have  got  me!"  he  wailed  under 
his  breath.  ''I  can  feel  their  icy  claws 
upon  my  feet.    Lord  have  mercy  upon  my 


100       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare. 

sinful  soul!  Don't  let  the  devil  have  me! 
You  know  I  am  not  fit  to  die.  Only  let  me 
get  out  and  I  swear  T  will  never  utter 
another  oath,  and  I  will  go  to  church  regu- 
larly every  day.    Indeed  I  will !' ' 

Captain  Smith  caught  him  by  the 
shoulders  just  under  the  arms,  and  bracing 
himself  against  a  tree,  gave  a  mighty  jerk. 
Forth  came  the  bedraggled  Adam,  smeared 
in  slime  up  to  his  breast.  The  ludicrous 
sight  filled  the  Captain  with,  silent  mirth 
as  he  plodded  along  beside  him  and  lis- 
tened to  the  slimy  water  slushing  in  his 
boots  at  every  step. 

After  an  hour  of  arduous  toil  they  came 
out  upon  firm  ground.  There  before  them 
rose  the  temple.  Trees  planted  thickly 
together  formed  the  walls;  their  branches 
twisted  and  matted  together,  the  roof. 
Countless  passion-flowers  crept  in  and  out 
among  the  trunks,  and  spread  their  purple 
flowers  in  a  thick  coverlet  over  the  entire 
structure.  A  yellow  glare  from  pitch-pine 
torches  within  gleamed  through  the  many 
crevices,  like  millions  of  fireflies. 

Adam  would  not  stir  a  step  until  with 
much  labor  he  had  gotten  off  his  boots  and 
emptied  out  the  mud  and  slime. 

Not  an  Indian  was  to  be  seen  as  they 
stole  toward  the  house,  and,  avoiding  the 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        101 

door,  made  for  an  oi^ening  in  tlie  wall 
through  which  a  broad  beam  of  light 
streamed  out.  This  opening  was  so  large 
that  both  Smith  and  Adam  could  gain  a 
clear  view  of  the  interior  without  being 
seen  themselves. 

As  Adam  opened  his  mouth  to  utter  a 
groan  of  horror,  Smith  clapped  his  hand 
upon  it  and  whispered,  ^'Do  you  want  to 
be  scalped?  Keep  still  if  you  value  your 
life. ' ' 

Such  an  awful  picture  they  had  never 
looked  upon  before.  Here  in  the  midst  of 
the  American  wilderness  was  Dante's 
Inferno.  At  the  end  of  the  temple  opposite 
the  door,  high  up  on  a  framework  of  reeds, 
lay  the  shriveled  remains  of  past  kings  and 
priests.  The  bodies  were  painted  and 
decorated  in  a  fearful  manner,  their  claw- 
like fingers  still  grasping  the  bow  and 
arrow.  At  their  feet  crouched  the  stutfed 
bodies  of  favorite  hounds.  Occupying  the 
center  of  the  room  was  the  image  of  Okee, 
his  frightful  face  painted  in  red  and  black 
stripes.  Eopes  of  pearls  as  large  as  peas 
hung  around  his  neck,  and  from  the  crown 
of  his  head  stood  up  a  tuft  of  eagle  feathers 
dyed  green  and  red.  His  staring  eyes,  en- 
closed in  broad  white  circles,  gazed  unwink- 
ingly  upon  the  priests  surrounding  him. 


102       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Their  naked  bodies,  clothed  only  in  an 
apron  of  skin,  were  painted  red  and  black 
in  imitation  of  the  god.  Writhing  green 
snakes,  hanging  in  holes  bored  in  their 
ears,  hit  viciously  with  arrow-head  tongues 
at  their  foaming  lips  as  they  whirled  in  the 
devil's  dance. 

Rattling  pebbles  shut  up  in  conch  shells, 
together  with  the  hollow  boom  of  mem- 
brane stretched  over  gourds,  added  their 
deafening  din  to  the  confusion. 

In  the  background  knelt  the  squaws  with 
buckhorns  bound  to  their  heads.  Their  sobs 
and  lamentations  rose  to  shrieks  as  the 
frenzied  warriors,  black  as  midnight,  tore 
the  suckling  babes  from  their  clinging 
arms  to  offer  them  in  sacrifice  to  Okee. 

''Let  me  get  behind  you.  Smith,  for 
mercy's  sake!  I  see  a  howling  devil  glar- 
ing right  in  this  direction.  Your  armor 
will  blunt  his  arrows  before  they  get 
around  to  me, ' '  whispered  the  irrepressible 
Adam. 

Again  the  whirling  dance  and  sacrifice 
went  on  until  the  exhausted  madmen  fell 
to  the  ground.  In  the  lull  that  ensued, 
Powhatan,  seated  near  hig  departed  ances- 
tors, raised  his  hand  for  silence. 

''The    priests    of    Okee    crave    another 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        103 

offering,  else  the  Terrible  One  will  send 
the  warriors  when  they  die  to  Popagosso 
under  the  fiery  sun,  burning  low  in  the 
west.  The  pale  face  has  come  among  us, 
taken  our  lands,  and  killed  our  warriors. 
Okee  demands  the  blood  of  the  white  cap- 
tive at  our  hands." 

Captain  Smith's  hair  stood  on  end  with 
horror,  for  he  realized  that  the  little  white 
boy,  given  by  Newport  to  Powhatan,  was 
to  be  the  propitiatory  victim.  The  Cap- 
tain's mind  traveled  like  lightning  over 
various  plans  for  the  release  of  the 
child. 

While  Powhatan  was  speaking,  Poca- 
hontas, sick  with  the  sight  of  flowing  blood, 
crept  noiselessly  out.  Would  not  the  Great 
Spirit  of  the  pale  face  send  succor  to  the 
unfortunate  boy,  soon  to  be  slaughtered? 
she  wondered.  She  would  pray  to  Him. 
Perhaps  He  might  heed  the  prayer  of  an 
Indian  maiden.  Her  ^^father"  had  said 
the  Great  Spirit  could  do  all  things. 

Kneeling  down  and  clasping  her  hands 
as  she  had  seen  Captain  Smith  do,  she 
lifted  pleading  accents  to  the  God  of  the 
Indian  and  the  white  man. 

"0  Great  Spirit  of  my  ^father,'  let  not 
Powhatan  take  the  life  of  the  little  pale 
face    brother.      Pocahontas    will    give    in 


104       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

return  the  blue  beads  her  'father'  gave 
her. ' ' 

'' Pocahontas,"  whispered  Smith,  '*it  is 
I,  your  father.  Do  as  I  bid  you  and  the 
boy  will  be  saved."  Then  he  rapidly 
whispered  directions  in  her  ear. 

'^  Pocahontas  understands  and  obeys. 
My  father  will  not  hurt  Powhatan  and  her 
people?" 

''No,  Powhatan  and  your  jDeople  shall 
live,"  he  answered;  but  to  himself  he  mut- 
tered, "If  it  were  not  for  the  women  and 
children,  I  could  murder  every  fiend." 

Looking  now  through  the  crack,  he  saw 
the  lad  dragged  forth  toward  the  priests. 
His  cries  for  mercy  were  met  by  the  taunt- 
ing "Ohe,  Ohe,"  of  his  tormentors.  No 
time  was  to  be  lost.  Turning  to  Adam  he 
said,  ' '  Give  me  your  podwer-horn. ' ' 

"Take  heed  what  you  do.  Smith," 
implored  Adam,  his  teeth  clashing  together 
like  castanets,  and  the  knob  on  his  nose 
working  like  a  pig's  snout  with  excite- 
ment. 

"Keep  still,  and  hand  me  your  horn. 
Stir  not  from  this  spot,  no  matter  wliat 
happens."  So  saying.  Captain  Smith  and 
Pocahontas  disappeared,  leaving  Adam 
alone.  Now  and  then  curiosity  over- 
powered fear,   and  he   would  look   again 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        105 

through  the  crack,  only  to  fall  back  and 
begin  petitions  for  deliverance. 

Kunning  around  to  a  spot  in  full  view  of 
the  door,  Captain  Smith  emptied  the 
powder  in  Adam's  horn  into  a  piece  of 
clay  pipe  lying  near.  Then  inserting  a 
lighted  fuse,  he  took  to  his  heels.  Fleeing 
around  the  corner  he  ran  full  tilt  into  the 
unconscious  Adam,  with  his  eye  glued  to 
the  crack,  and  both  rolled  to  the  ground. 
Not  knowing  what  had  assaulted  him, 
Adam  let  out  a  yell  that  would  have 
wakened  the  dead  kings  lying  in  state,  had 
it  not  been  drowned  in  the  explosion  of  the 
gunpowder. 

A  roar  of  thunder  split  the  air,  followed 
by  blinding  flashes  of  flame.  For  a  moment 
a  deathly  silence  hung  over  the  Indians, 
then  shrieks  and  yells  burst  from  the 
painted  demons.  Pandemonium  reigned  as 
they  fled  from  the  temple.  Leading  the 
vanguard  was  Powhatan,  clinging  to  a 
litter  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  four 
warriors  who  sped  away  in  the  dark- 
ness. 

In  the  midst  of  the  confusion,  Pocahontas 
snatched  the  white  boy  up  and  made  for  the 
place  where  Captain  Smith  was  vainly  try- 
ing to  pacify  the  terrified  Adam,  who  was 
now  wallowing  on  the  ground. 


106       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

^^Stop  your  howls,  or  I  will  leave  you 
to  the  mercy  of  the  Indians!  Get  up,  we 
have  not  a  moment  to  lose.  Pocahontas  is 
here  with  the  bov.  We  must  hasten  to  the 
boat  for  our  lives.'' 

Leading  the  way  as  guide,  with  the  boy 
clasped  in  her  strong  young  arms,  Poca- 
hontas plunged  into  the  swamp.  Over 
morass,  through  matted  vines,  she  went 
with  unerring  instinct,  followed  by  Smith, 
trundlino^  the  unwieldv  form  of  Adam 
before  him.  Down  into  a  hole  went  Adam 
for  the  second  time,  leaving  a  boot  as  a 
memento  of  the  adventure.  As  he  hobbled 
painfully  along,  sick  with  misery  and  fear, 
his  strength  gave  out,  and  with  a  moan 
he  pitched  forward.  Losing  no  time  in  an 
examination  of  the  unfortunate  man.  Smith 
merely  rolled  him  over,  and  catching  him 
in  the  back  of  his  collar,  dragged  him  along 
in  his  flight. 

He  heaved  a  sigh  of  thankfulness  as  he 
saw  the  boat  through  an  opening  in  the 
trees.  ^^ Saint  George!"  he  shouted,  and 
the  men  on  the  beach  ran  forward  to  meet 
him.  Picking  up  the  body  of  Adam  as  if 
he  were  a  log  of  wood,  they  sped  to  the 
boat  and  dumped  him  in.  Pocahontas 
placed  the  boy  in  Smith's  arms  and 
vanished. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        107 

'^Eow  for  vour  lives,  men!  Death  lies 
in  the  swamp,"  urged  Smith. 

Bending  to  their  oars,  they  sent  the  ])oat 
plunging  down  the  stream  in  reckless 
haste,  nor  did  thev  cease  to  row  until  the 
broad  York  was  left  behind,  and  the  prow 
of  their  barge  dipped  its  nose  in  the  salty 
waters  of  the  Chesapeake. 


CHAPTER  XV 

Drifting  down  the  Chesapeake  at  night! 
AVhat  exquisite  beauties  of  earth  and  sky 
wrapped  the  weary  voyagers  in  their 
embrace,  soothing  their  aching  bodies  and 
exhausted  nerves!  Drifting  on  the  moon- 
kissed  ripples,  into  the  waves  of  liquid  sil- 
ver slowly  changing  into  gold  under  the 
alchemy  of  the  rising  sun!  In  the  open 
glades,  stretching  away  into  forests  still 
draped  in  the  morning  mists,  antlered 
monarchs  of  the  wilderness  led  the  herd  of 
doe  and  bounding  fawn  to  the  pools  of 
fresh  water  for  their  morning  bath. 

As  the  barge  swung  around  into  the 
James  that  morning,  the  voyagers  descried 
the  flag  of  Saint  G-eorge,  bidding  defiance 
to  the  Indian  as  it  fluttered  in  the  sum- 
mer's breeze  from  the  mast  of  a  ship  just 
ahead. 

^'Look,  there  is  Newport  come  again,'' 
said  Captain  Smith.  *' Rouse  up,  Adam; 
the  danger  is  long  past." 

Uttering  a  hollow  groan,  Adam  raised 
himself  from  the  bottom  of  the  boat  where 
he  had  lain  since  the  mad  race  down  the 
Pamunkey. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        109 

''Lord,  but  I  am  thankful  to  see  civiliza- 
tion again!  If  I  am  forgiven  for  this 
exploit,  I  will  never  be  caught  among  those 
devils  again;  and  if  I  only  had  a  cup  of 
sack,  I  swear  I  would  feel  like  a  human 
being  once  more. '^ 

"How  about  those  vows  vou  made  never 
to  swear  again,  when  you  fell  into  that 
hole!"  inquired  Smith. 

"There  were  reservations,  man;  mental 
reservations.  I  took  care  to  put  them  in,'^ 
said  the  now  courageous  Adam. 

With  swift  strokes  they  came  alongside 
the  English  ship  and  hailed  her,  and  as  she 
slowed  down,  Captain  Newport  came  to  the 
side  and  called  out  to  Smith: 

"I  have  something  on  board  that  will 
delight  your  eyes.  A  fair  gentlewoman. 
Mistress  Forrest,  and  her  maid,  Anne 
Burras. ' ' 

With  courtesies  and  smiles,  the  lady  and 
her  maid  came  forward  to  acknowledge  the 
greeting  of  the  voyagers. 

"Beside  such  a  pleasant  sight,  madam, 
the  whole  of  His  Majesty's  dominions  in 
this  land  pale  into  insignificance, ' '  said 
Captain  Smith,  sweeping  his  soft  hat 
almost  to  the  bottom  of  the  boat  as  he  stood 
to  greet  her. 

Then  gaily  proceeding  up  the  stream,  the 


110       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

barge    leadingj    they   came   to    anchor    at 
Jamestown. 

AVhere  were  all  the  settlers  who  should 
have  been  upon  the  beach  to  greet  them? 
Hardly  a  dozen  could  be  seen  strolling 
around  idly  or  lolling  under  the  trees. 

"AVhere  are  all  the  men?"  was  Smith's 
first  greeting. 

^'Tliey  are  at  work  in  the  woods,  build- 
ing a  palace  fit  for  the  habitation  of  the 
President  of  this  magnificent  settlement,'* 
ironicallv  answered  Percy. 

Meantime,  Wingfield  had  caught  sight 
of  Mrs.  Forrest  and  her  maid.  ' '  Shade  of 
Henry  VIII.,  I  do  believe  it  is  the  wilful 
Anne ! ' '  Hastening  forward,  his  plumed 
hat  swept  the  ground  as  he  bent  to  Mrs. 
Forrest.  Not  quite  so  low  was  its  sweep 
to  Anne,  but  there  was  enough  gallantry 
in  his  action,  and  admiration  in  his  eye, 
to  set  the  foolish  little  maid's  heart  to 
fluttering.  Not  only  in  our  day  do  maidens 
dream  of  being  elevated  to  rank  above  the 
station  in  which  they  are  born. 

''Anne,"  said  Mrs.  Forrest  sharply,  not- 
ing the  confusion  of  her  maid,  and  having 
no  mind  to  encourage  this  unequal  flirta- 
tion, "look  to  the  bales  in  which  my  gowns 
are  packed,  and  have  a  care  for  the  packet 
containing  my  ruifs." 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        111 

With  a  slight  toss  of  her  curly  chestnut 
head,  Anne  obeyed  the  bidding  of  her 
mistress. 

The  most  commodious  cabin  was  set 
apart  for  Mrs.  Forrest  and  her  husband, 
and  during  the  ensuing  days  that  thrifty 
lady  speedily  had  her  lares  and  penates 
safely  housed. 

It  was  a  touching  sight  to  see  the  home- 
longing  in  the  eyes  of  the  men  as  they 
passed  her  open  door.  No  matter  in  what 
direction  they  were  bound,  their  path 
always  lay  directly  past  her  door  and  win- 
dow^, where  they  could  see  the  dainty 
Anne  standing  before  the  spinning-wheel, 
or  bending  over  the  fire  tasting  the  con- 
tents of  some  savory  mass  bubbling  and 
singing  upon  the  crane. 

Captain  Smith  had  lost  no  time  in  seek- 
ing out  the  men  engaged  in  building  Rat- 
cliffe's  house  in  the  woods,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Laydon.  Adam  Clotworthy  had 
alreadv  arrived  there. 

Toiling  under  the  weight  of  huge  logs 
and  straining  to  lift  them  into  position  had 
worked  the  men  up  into  mutiny.  Mutter- 
ings  of  strange  torments  in  the  way  of 
revenge  were  whispered  from  one  to 
another.  Adam,  who  had  no  liking  for 
Eatclitfe,  egged  them  on. 


112       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

''You  fellows  might  just  as  well  be  slaves 
in  Africa,  toiling  and  moiling  for  some 
wooly-headed  chief.  Why  not  choose  a 
President  for  yourselves?  I  have  the  very 
man  in  my  eye.''  Then  he  launched  into 
a  description  of  Smith's  exploits  on  the  Pa- 
munkey,  embellishing  the  tale  with  such 
wonders  as  would  have  put  Don  Quixote  to 
the  blush.  ''I  can  tell  you  a  few  little 
tricks,  I  learned  up  there,  of  dealing  with  a 
traitor,  that  are  uncommon  good." 

This  recital  acted  as  a  lighted  fuse  to  the 
guni30wder  of  their  feelings,  and  the 
explosion  took  place  just  as  Smith  arrived. 
Throwing  down  axes,  hammers,  chisels  and 
spades,  they  gave  themselves  up  to  fierce 
anger  against  Eatcliffe. 

When  he  judged  the  moment  to  be  ready, 
Adam  threw  up  his  hat  and  yelled, 
''Smith!  Smith  for  President!"  The  cry, 
was  taken  up  on  every  side  as  they  moved 
in  a  body  back  to  the  settlement,  carrying 
Smith  in  their  midst. 

So  dark  were  their  scowling  looks,  and  so 
fierce  their  gestures,  that  Eatcliffe  made 
haste  to  scuttle  aboard  Newport's  ship 
and  place  himself  behind  the  protection  of 
the  guns.  A  vote  was  then  taken,  and  by 
an  overwhelming  majority  Captain  Smith 
was  elected  President  of  the  colony. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        113 

As  soon  as  the  excitement  quieted  down 
a  bit,  Captain  Smith  drew  John  Laydon 
aside. 

^'Did  you  know  a  Mistress  Forrest  has 
arrived  with  Newport,  bringing  a  maid 
called   Anne  Burras  with  herf  he  said. 

^^Anne  here?''  John  replied  in  bewilder- 
ment. 

"Yes,  I  suspect  it  is  that  bewitching 
damsel.  Have  an  eye  upon  Wingfield. 
AVatch  over  her  whenever  possible. ' ' 

"With  his  heart  palpitating  between  love 
and  fear  of  his  reception,  the  young  car- 
penter hastened  to  the  cabin  of  Mrs.  For- 
rest, where  he  found  Anne  looking  through 
the  window  at  the  excited  men  and  wonder- 
ing what  the  trouble  was. 

"Anne,  Anne!"  he  cried,  his  rugged  face 
beautiful  with  the  strength  of  his  great 
love. 

"Good-day  to  you,  Master  John  Lay- 
don," responded  Anne,  eyeing  with  dis- 
favor his  coarse  woolen  jerkin  and  rough, 
toil-worn  hands. 

"Is  that  all  you  have  to  say  to  me,  Anne 
after  our  long  separation?"  he  pleaded,  a 
hurt  look  creeping  into  his  eyes.  "My  girl, 
I  have  dreamed  of  you  day  and  night  out 
here  under  the  stars  and  glare  of  the  sun. 
At  first  I  longed  to  have  you  with  me;  but 


lltt       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

when  cold  and  starvation  killed  off  our 
men,  and  many  died  at  the  hands  of  the 
savage,  I  thanked  God  you  were  safe  in 
England. ' '  . 

^*You  do  me  too  much  honor,  Master 
Lay  don,"  replied  the  damsel,  imitating  in 
manner  and  gesture  the  carriage  of  her 
mistress. 

''  'Master  Laydon,  Master  Laydon,'  '' 
echoed  the  indignant  John.  "Your  tone 
smacks  too  much  of  the  fine  lady,  child." 
Then  changing  his  tone  to  one  of  per- 
suasion, he  drew  nearer  and  attempted  to 
take  her  hand.  "It  used  to  be  'John'  and 
'Anne,"  when  we  strolled  through  the  lanes 
at  home."  Snatching  away  her  hand,  and 
drawing  her  little  body  up,  Anne  scorn- 
fully replied: 

"A  child  does  many  things  which  it 
leaves  off  when  it  comes  to  know  better.  I 
must  bid  you  good-by,  as  my  time  is  of 
too  much  importance  to  idle  it  away." 

Turning  away  with  a  haughty  inclina- 
tion of  her  head,  she  went  into  another 
room  and  made  straight  for  a  window 
where  she  could  see  the  disconsolate  John 
moving  away. 

Her  eyes  sparkled  with,  excitement.  It 
was  truly  delightful  to  have  a  handsome 
gentleman  like  Wingfield  paying  her  com- 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        115 

pliments,  and  at  tke  same  time  the  despair- 
ing John  was  not  to  be  despised.  He  served 
as  a  somber  background  to  her  glowing 
dreams. 

As  the  summer  ripened,  many  stealthy 
meetings  with  Wingfield,  filled  with  com- 
pliments and  airy  nothings,  alluring  as  a 
mirage  and  as  tangible  as  a  will-o-the-wisp, 
kept  the  ambitious  maiden's  heart  in  a 
turmoil  of  excitement.  That  accomplished 
flatterer  was  too  skilful  a  navigator  to 
run  his  ship  upon  the  rocks  of  definite 
words,  although  keeping  in  full  sight  of 
the  green  fields  of  her  untutored  heart. 
His  jDleasurable  enjoyment  in  balking  John 
changed  into  pure  malice  as  the  weeks 
drifted  by.  Everywhere  he  turned,  the 
stern  watchful  eyes  of  the  carpenter  were 
upon  him,  and  he  often  found  him  dogging 
his  footsteps.  This  unceasing  shadowing 
irritated  the  cowardly  Wingfield.  ^'If  he 
keeps  up  this  espionage  on  my  movements, 
I  will  rid  the  colony  of  him,''  he  would 
mutter  to  himself. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

Adam  Clotwortliy  had  watched  the  grow- 
ing drama  with  Laydon,  Wingfield,  and 
Anne  in  the  title  roles,  with  keen  interest. 

'^Sail  in,  sail  in,  John,  and  take  the  ship 
by  storm.  I  tell  you  a  maiden  likes  a  man 
who  overcomes  obstacles,  instead  of  pot- 
tering around,  mooning  like  a  calf.  You 
leave  her  too  much  alone,  and  it  is  no  tell- 
ing what  fancies  she  will  get  into  her  giddy 
pate. ' ' 

^^I  am  not  going  to  furnish  food  for  her 
mirth  with  Wingfield,^'  answered  John 
angrily,  recollecting  the  previous  attempts 
to  see  her  which  had  been  met  by  a  drastic 
snubbing.  "I  shall  guard  her  in  every 
way  I  can,  but  I  have  made  the  last 
advances  I  intend  to.'' 

^^John,  you  are  what  I  call  a  simon-pure 
fooL'' 

'^Fool  or  no  fool,  I  am  a  man.''  And 
with  that  unanswerable  argument  Laydon 
walked  away. 

Turning  over  various  plans  in  his  head 
whereby  he  might  help  John,  Adam  was 
startled  as  the  shadow  of  Wingtield  fell 
in  front  of  him. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       117 

^^Take  your  hulking  carcass  out  of  the 
path  of  a  gentleman/^  said  Wingfield  to 
Adam. 

* '  Gentleman ! ' '  inquired  Adam.  ^  ^  Where 
is  he?    I  do  not  see  him.'' 

^ '  Do  you  dare  to  insult  your  betters,  you 
base-born  cub?" 

^  ^  Base-born ! ' '  yelled  Adam.  ^ '  My  ances- 
tors come  from  better  stock  than  yours, 
seeing  they  were  honest  men." 

** Honest  men!  ^^ly,  you  cannot  look 
an  honest  man  in  the  face." 

^'I  will  tell  you  how  that  happened," 
replied  Adam,  restored  to  good  humor  by 
the  thrust  he  had  given  Wingfield. 
^'Originally  both  eyes  looked  in  the  same 
direction,  but  whenever  I  was  talking  to 
an  honest  man  I  had  to  keep  one  eye  upon 
the  rogue.  The  strain  was  too  much  and 
they  parted  company.  The  blue  eye,  being 
the  keener,  I  keep  fixed  on  rogues,  and  if 
you  observe  closely,  you  will  see  that  my 
brown  eye  is  looking  up  the  stream.  I  leave 
you  to  guess  the  direction  of  the  blue  one. 
I'll  tell  you  something  else.  If  you  do  not 
keep  your  paw  out  of  a  certain  little  mat- 
ter we  both  know  of,  John  Laydon  will 
send  you  to  feed  the  fishes." 

Ripping  out  his  sword,  Wingfield  made 
a  thrust  at  Adam.    Laydon,  who  had  just 


118       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

come  up  behind,  caught  the  sword  as  it 
descended,  and  wrenching  it  out  of  his 
hand,  hurled  it  into  the  bushes.  Without 
further  parley,  he  fell  upon  Wingfield  and 
pounded  him  unmercifully.  The  ex-Presi- 
dent's rage  made  him  forget  the  social  dis- 
tance between  the  carpenter  and  the 
gentleman,  and  he  gave  blow  for  blow  in 
return.  Adam,  watching  every  advantage, 
and  with  head  lowered,  charged  upon 
Wingfield  from  behind  like  a  battering- 
ram. 

The  noise  and  scuffle  brought  President 
Smith  hurriedly  to  the  spot. 

' '  Stop ! ' '  I  command  you, ' '  he  thundered. 

The  enraged  combatants  sullenly  parted, 
and  Wingfield  began  a  tirade  of  abuse 
against  low-born  scullions  who  presumed 
to  strike  a  gentleman. 

^ '  It  is  no  use  for  you  to  talk  to  me,  Wing- 
field. I  know  you  and  haven't  forgotten 
the  message  you  sent  Opechancanough. 
Better  look  to  yourself  or  else  you  will 
find  that  a  dungeon  in  England  is  much 
worse  than  a  residence  here.'' 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Pocahontas,  having  heard  of  the  arrival 
of  the  white  squaw's  at  Jamestown,  soon 
came  to  see  them  for  herself.  Seeking  out 
Smith  as  usual,  she  plied  him  with  ques- 
tions concerning  them. 

'^Pocahontas    wants    to    see    the    white 


?  J 


squaws. 

''So  you  shall,  my  child,''  replied  her 
"father.''  Taking  her  hy  the  hand  he  led 
her  to  the  cabin  of  Mrs.  Forrest.  ' '  This  is 
my  little  Indian  maid,  madam,  of  whom  you 
have  heard  me  speak." 

Motherly  Mrs.  Forrest  tried  by  signs  to 
make  her  understand  that  she  was  glad  to 
see  her.  Helped  out  by  Pocahontas's 
imperfect  English  and  Smith's  interpreta- 
tions, the  conversation  proceeded  to  the 
mutual  satisfaction  of  both. 

"Here  is  a  maiden  of  the  pale  faces,  my 
child,"  said  Captain  Smith  as  Anne  came 
tripping  up  with  rutfs  in  her  hands,  fresh 
from  the  clear  starching.  "Well,  Mistress 
Anne,  how  is  your  health  this  bright  morn- 
ing!" said  Smith,  at  the  same  time  tilting 
the  winsome  little  face  upward  with  his 
finger. 


120       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Instantly  the  fires  of  jealousy  blazed  in 
the  eyes  of  Pocahontas,  and  she  stamped 
her  foot  upon  the  ground. 

^^Why,  my  child,  what  means  this 
unseemly  behavior  T'  exclaimed  Smith. 
*^Come,  show  your  kindly  smile  to  the 
white  maiden. '^ 

^^  Pocahontas  likes  not— she  hates— she 
will  kill!"  exclaimed  the  Indian  maid,  her 
voice  rising  in  frenzy  at  every  breath. 

'^Mind  her  not,  Anne,  it  is  but  the  jeal- 
ousy of  a  child. 

^^My  little  one,  your  father  is  yours,  he 
belongs  to  you,"  he  soothingly  said,  draw- 
ing the  trembling  Pocahontas  into  his 
encircling  arms  and  feeling  her  beating 
heart  fluttering  like  a  caged  bird. 

With  much  coaxing  she  consented  to 
smile  upon  Mrs.  Forrest,  but  any  advance 
upon  the  part  of  Anne  was  met  by  a  fierce 
scowl.  Poor  Indian  maid!  Her  loving 
heart  could  not  bear  the  pain  of  seeing  her 
hero  give  even  a  fleeting  caress  to  another. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

The  sultry  August  sun  was  slowly  dying 
in  the  west  as  Anne  Burras,  standing 
before  her  small  mirror,  gave  the  finishing 
touches  to  her  toilet.  When  the  stars  came 
out  she  would  slip  down  to  the  ill-fated 
gold  stream  to  meet  Wingfield. 

Her  mistress  came  in  and  noted  the 
preparations,  glancing  at  the  chain  of  gold 
around  her  neck. 

^'^^lere  got  you  that  chain,  Anner^ 

^'It  was  given  me  by  Mistress  Hardcastle 
when  she  stayed  at  your  house  last  winter. ' ' 

^'She  never  was  noted  for  sense,'* 
replied  her  mistress.  '*  Servants  have  no 
business  decked  in  jewelry.  It  does  not 
become  their  station." 

Pursing  up  her  pretty  lips,  Anne  made  a 
grimace  at  the  back  of  her  unconscious 
mistress. 

'^Go  and  attend  to  the  setting  of  the 
table  for  supper,  while  I  look  out  wool  for 
the  carding,  to-morrow,"  continued  Mrs. 
Forrest. 

After  the  supper  dishes  had  been  cleared 
away  and  the  twilight  crept  over  the  set- 
tlement, Anne  stole  out  to  meet  Wingfield. 


122       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Gliding  from  tree  to  tree,  she  came  upon 
him  standing  by  the  stream  which  emptied 
its  rills  into  the  James. 

How  handsome  he  was,  she  thought,  in 
his    rich    doublet    and    sad-colored    cloak. 
And  how  well  the   stiff  ruff  set  off  his 
pointed  chin  and  Vandyke  beard.    Stealing, 
softly  up,  she  touched  him  upon  the  arm. 

With  a  muttered  oath  he  turned  upon 
her.  '^Oh,  it  is  you,  Anne,"  he  said  in  a 
relieved  voice.  ^^How  pretty  you  look 
to-night.  If  you  only  wore  a  velvet  gown 
and  lace  ruff,  with  a  high  hat  and  plume, 
you  could  rival  any  lady  at  the  Court  of 
King  James.'' 

Poor  Anne  looked  down  upon  her  short 
stuff  petticoat  and  clumsy  shoes,  and  tears 
of  mortification  rose  to  her  eyes  and 
brimmed  over  upon  her  cheeks. 

^ '  Cheer  up,  my  pretty  one !  Who  knows 
what  the  future  may  hold  for  you?  I  can 
see  you  in  a  fine  house  with  a  maid  to  wait 
upon  you,  and  these  little  hands  will  be  soft 
and  white  again,"  he  whispered,  drawing 
her  into  his  arms. 

Adam  had  followed  Anne,  like  a  hunter 
stalking  the  deer.  After  seeing  her  meeting 
with  Wingfield,  he  lumbered  back  for 
La^^don. 

^'John,  they  are  at  it  again,  down  by 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        123 

the  gold  stream.  That  pretty  fool  will  get 
herself  into  trouble." 

Hastening  to  the  spot  with  Adam  in  tow, 
Laydon  crept  behind  a  tree,  and  with- 
out an  atom  of  shame  listened  to  the 
conversation. 

^^How  would  you  like  to  see  the  wonder- 
ful city  of  Rome  and  sail  upon  the  Mediter- 
ranean?" Wingtield  was  saying.  Her  reply 
was  inaudible. 

"You  must  not  ask  me  when,  my  pretty 
one ;  leave  that  to  me. ' ' 

Stepping  from  behind  the  tree,  Laydon 
placed  himself  in  front  of  the  couple. 

' '  Take  vour  villainous  arms  from  around 
her,  you  cowardly  caitiff!" 

"Out  of  my  way,  you  sawyer  of  wood!" 
replied  Wingfield. 

"Do  you  intend  to  marry  her!" 
demanded  Lavdon. 

"Marry  her?"  retorted  the  irate  Wing- 
field,  his  pride  stung  at  the  thought  and  his 
conceit  blinding  his  caution.  "Do  you  sup- 
pose a  gentleman  of  my  station  would 
marry  a  servant-girl,  no  matter  how  pretty 
the  little  fool  was?" 

Laydon  sprang  at  his  throat,  his  hot 
heart  thirsting  for  blood.  Then  ensued  a 
iierce  struggle  as  the  powerful  arms  of  the 
carpenter  gripped  the  body  of  his  adver- 


124      The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

sary  and  gradually  forced  liim  backward 
toward  the  river.  But  Wingfield  had 
learned  a  trick  in  wrestling  when  a  boy  in 
England  that  stood  him  in  good  stead  now. 
With  a  sudden  twist  of  his  foot  he  sent 
Laydon  sprawling  upon  the  ground,  his 
head  striking  a  log  in  his  fall.  Then  pounc- 
ing upon  the  unconscious  form,  he  heaved 
it  into  the  water. 

''Murder,  murder!"  yelled  Adam  at  the 
top  of  his  voice.  He  had  taken  good  care 
not  to  utter  a  sound  so  long  as  he  thought 
Laydon  had  the  better  of  it  and  was  forcing 
Wingfield  backward  toward  the  river. 

The  colonists,  hearing  his  yells,  and 
thinking  that  one  of  the  dreaded  attacks  of 
the  Indians  was  in  progress,  poured  from 
the  cabins,  loading  their  muskets  on  the 
run. 

''Wingfield  has  murdered  Laydon!'' 
cried  Adam  to  the  foremost  runners.  "He 
jjitched  him  just  there  in  the  stream.'' 

Throwing  aside  their  muskets,  they 
waded  in,  and  lifting  Laydon  from  the 
shallow  beach  water  bore  him  to  the  shore. 
While  they  were  trying  every  means  to 
restore  life.  President  Smith  came  up  and 
demanded  the  cause  of  the  commotion. 
Adam,  who  had  witnessed  the  whole  affair, 
quickly  put  him  in  possession  of  the  facts, 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       125 

'  *  Wingfield,  you  are  a  prisoner,  and  shall 
leave  for  England  to-morrow  on  the  return- 
ing shi]3.  It  is  such  as  you  who  bring  dis- 
grace upon  the  colony, ' '  said  the  President. 
'^Let  his  example  be  a  warning  to  you, 
men.  As  I  deal  with  him,  so  will  I  deal 
with  you. ' ' 

Kneeling  beside  Laydon,  he  put  his  ear 
against  his  breast. 

''Take  him  up,  men.  He  is  alive.  His 
heart  is  beating.  Why,  who  is  thisf  he 
cried,  gazing  in  astonishment  upon  the 
crouching  form  of  Anne,  speechless  with 
horror  at  the  scene  she  had  witnessed. 
"Can  it  be  possible  that  Anne  Burras  is 
mixed  up  in  this  disgrace?  How  will  your 
honest  mother  and  father  feel  when  they 
hear  of  your  conduct?  Fetch  Mrs.  Forrest 
here,  Martin.'' 

Panting  with  haste,  the  worthy  lady 
answered  the  summons  of  Captain  Smith. 
He  told  her  briefly  of  the  trouble. 

"You  good-for-nothing  baggage!  You 
hussy!  Bread  and  water  shall  be  your  por- 
tion until  I  hear  from  your  parents ! "  So 
saying,  the  irate  lady  caught  hold  of  the 
girl,  and  dragged  her  off  to  the  cabin.  Ar- 
riving there,  she  locked  the  unhappy  Anne 
in  her  room.  "You  will  stay  there,  miss, 
for  a  week,  and  meditate  on  your  folly. ' ' 


12G       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Throwing  herself  upon  her  bed,  the 
miserable  girl  gave  way  to  a  passionate 
outburst  of  tears.  Through  the  ensuing 
week  her  mistress  came  three  times  a  day 
with  food  and  drink.  The  harsh  threat  of 
bread  and  water  was  not  carried  out  bj^ 
Mrs.  Forrest.  After  her  anger  wore  off, 
pity  for  the  misguided  girl  crept  into  her 
heart,  and  she  began  to  make  excuses  to 
herself  for  Anne,  and  even  defended  her 
against  the  just  indignation  of  Mr.  Forrest. 

^'You  know,  Tom,  'tis  all  that  villain's 
fault, ' '  argued  Mrs.  Forrest,  with  feminine 
consistency  piling  the  entire  blame  upon 
Wingfield.  ^'x\nne  is  barely  more  than  a 
child,  no  wonder  her  sillv  head  was  turned 
by  the  flattery  of  a  fine  gentleman.  Her 
betters  have  fallen  into  that  trap  more  than 
once  before.  And  you  know,  Tom,"  she 
continued,  as  she  heaped  his  breakfast 
plate  with  broiled  fish,  fresh  from  the  glow- 
ing coals,  ^'we  w^ere  young  ourselves  not  so 
many  years  ago,  so  don't  be  so  hard  upon 
the  lassie,"  and  the  girlish  light  of  court- 
ship's days  beamed  again  in  her  eyes  as 
she  drew"  back  his  head  and  touched  his 
cheek  with  soft  kisses. 

"Ah,  you  are  at  your  old  tricks  of 
wheedling  again,"  replied  her  husband,  all 
the  w^hile  delighting  in  her  caresses. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

"We  live  in  deeds,  not  years;  in  thoughts,  not  breaths; 
In  feelings,  not  in  figures  on  a  dial." 

sang  a  poet,  and  so  it  was  with  Anne. 
Mortified  pride  and  love  of  flattery  were 
washed  away  in  copious  tears,  and  then  the 
stings  of  remorseful  conscience  completed 
the  good  work.  Her  vanity  crumbled  into 
ashes,  leaving  only  scars  upon  her  heart, 
which  was  really  pure  and  good  at  bottom. 

At  the  end  of  that  long  week— made  up 
as  it  seemed  to  Anne  of  hundreds  of  years 
— Mrs.  Forrest  came  into  the  room,  care- 
fully shielding  the  lighted  candle  with  her 
hand  against  the  draft.  Placing  the  can- 
dle upon  the  chest  of  drawers,  she  sat 
down  beside  the  girl,  huddled  up  in  a  chair 
with  her  face  bowed  upon  her  knees. 

^'I  brou^'ht  vou  awav  from  vour  mother, 
Anne,  and  the  responsibility  of  your  wel- 
fare lies  heavy  upon  my  heart.  Your  con- 
duct since  coming  here  has  grieved  me 
sorely,  but  I  still  believe  you  are  a  good 
girl,  and  I  hope  this  affair  will  be  a  lesson 
to  you.  If  you  live  long  enough,  my  child, 
you  will  learn  that  the  love  of  a  good  man, 
no  matter  how  humble  his  station,  is  of 


128       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

priceless  value.  It  is  no  more  to  be  com- 
pared to  the  idle  words  of  a  brainless  fop 
than  a  diamond  is  to  a  bit  of  glass,''  she 
continued,  waxing  eloquent  as  her  emo- 
tions arose.  ''Come  now,  my  child,  is  not 
your  heart  sore  when  you  think  of  your 
mother  ? ' ' 

''Oh,  more  than  I  can  tell  you,"  cried 
Anne,  throwing  herself  on  her  knees  and 
burying  her  face  in  her  mistress's  lap. 
"Indeed  I  did  not  mean  to  do  wrong,  I  was 
only  thoughtless." 

"I  believe  you,  Anne,"  replied  Mrs. 
Forrest,  smoothing  the  girl's  disheveled 
curls,  "and  in  the  future  I  know  you  will 
be  all  that  John  Laydon  could  desire." 

"He  will  never  forgive  me,  he  is  so 
proud,"  sobbed  Anne. 

"Compel  his  admiration  by  your  con- 
duct, and  love  will  have  its  way  again. 
True  love,  my  child,  forgives  many  a  deep 
wound  inflicted  bv  the  hand  of  those  that 
are  dearest.  Now  you  must  go  to  bed,  and 
let  this  coming  Sunday  be  the  beginning  of 
your  new  life."  And  then  the  repentant 
maiden,  soothed  and  comforted,  was  tucked 
into  bed  by  the  kindly  ministrations  of  a 
heart  that  understood  and  pitied. 

In  the  days  that  followed,  a  changed 
Anne  could  be  seen  going  about  her  house- 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        129 

hold  duties.  Her  sad  face  and  down-east 
eyes  tugged  strongly  at  the  heartstrings  of 
the  now  recovered  John  as  he  sat  among  the 
men  in  church. 

He  tried  to  steel  his  heart  against  her. 
^^No,"  he  said  to  himself,  '^I  am  not  going 
to  be  fooled  by  her  again.  She  can  go  her 
way,  and  I  will  go  mine. ' ' 

Nevertheless,  his  eyes  constantly  wan- 
dered over  to  where  she  sat  with  bent  head 
over  her  prayer-book. 

At  the  close  of  the  morning  prayer,  good 
Chaplain  Hunt  stood  forth,  and  in  simple 
words  told  the  touching  story  of  the  love 
and  forgiveness  of  the  Incarnate  God,  and 
then  went  on  to  speak  of  charity,  the  love 
that  covers  all  things. 

Two  large  tears  rolled  down  Anne's 
cheeks  as  she  listened.  The  shining  drops 
caught  the  wandering  eye  of  John,  and  for 
some  reason  he  found  it  hard  to  swallow 
the  lump  in  his  throat.  ^^All  sham,  done 
for  effect !''  he  angrily  muttered. 

Coming  out  of  church,  he  was  joined  by 
Adam  Clotworthy.  ^^Look  here,  John, 
haven't  you  punished  that  poor  girl  long 
enough!  You  haven't  spoken  to  her  since 
August,  and  now  'tis  the  first  of  October. 
If  you  do  not  do  something  soon,  I'll  marry 
her  myself. ' ' 


130       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

^^A  pretty  bridegroom  yon  would  make, 
with  a  body  like  a  hogshead  set  on 
skewers !  *  ^ 

^^That  makes  no  difference  when  a  girl 
comes  to  her  senses  as  Anne  has.  She 
knows  now  how  to  value  an  honest  man's 
affections.  His  looks  play  but  a  small  part. 
I  saw  her  looking  at  yon  when  we  were 
coming  out,  and  if  you  could  have  seen  that 
look  you  would  go  straight  to  her,  unless 
3^ou  have  a  block  of  stone  for  a  heart. ' ' 

John  had  seen  the  look,  but  he  did  not 
enlighten  Adam. 

After  the  midday  meal,  John,  too  rest- 
less to  stay  indoors,  strolled  forth  into  the 
hazy  sunshine,  trying  to  still  the  hungry 
longing  at  his  heart. 

Back  of  Mrs.  Forrest's  cabin  a  drooping 
elm  threw  its  shadow  over  the  brown  grass 
and  plumy  golden-rod  beneath.  On  a  lit- 
tle cushion  of  rootlets  sat  Anne,  resting  her 
cheek  on  her  hand  and  gazing  away  over 
the  James.  She  was  so  deeply  absorbed  in 
thought,  that  the  crackling  of  dried  twigs 
under  John's  feet  did  not  disturb  her. 

''Anne,  are  you  sorrj^l"  * 

With  a  start  she  looked  up  at  him.  No 
answer  came  from  her  lips.  Lower  and 
lower  bent  her  head  over  her  hands  as  she 
twisted  and  untwisted  her  fingers  in   an 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare      '131 

effort  at  self-control.  The  sunshine,  shim- 
mering through  the  trees,  sought  out  the 
gold  in  the  chestnut  curl?;  escaping  from 
beneath  her  cap. 

^'You  have  not  answered  me,  Anne." 

Sob  after  sob  shook  her  little  body,  but 
no  words  came.  The  sight  was  too  much 
for  eJohn,  who  had  all  a  man's  horror  of 
tears.  Sitting  down  beside  her,  he  took 
one  of  her  little  hands  in  his ;  it  no  longer 
resisted  his  pressure. 

'^Will  the  words  not  come!  Then,  little 
one,  if  you  really  care,  put  your  head  here 
on  mv  heart." 

With  an  impulsive  movement  Anne 
buried  her  head  in  his  breast,  and  as  she 
wept  away  the  follies  of  childhood,  her 
woman's  heart  acknowledged  its  love. 

'^How  long  are  you  going  to  keep  me 
waiting,  Anne?" 

''T\nienever  you  want  me,  John,  I  will 
come. ' ' 

''I  want  you  now,  my  little  one.  And, 
Anne,  I  will  try  to  give  you  all  the  pretty 
things  I  can  get  by  honest  toil." 

''Don't,  John;  don't.  I  do  not  want 
them,"  she  cried,  her  heart  stung  by  his 
loving  words.  "I  only  want  you,  John; 
I  desire  nothing  else." 

''Tom,"  cried  Mrs.  Forrest  to  her  hus- 


132       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

band,  ^^come  here  quickly.  Look  through 
the  window.  Is  it  not  a  pretty  sight!  The 
Lord  has  answered  my  prayer.^' 

Looking  out,  he  saw  John  Laydon  under 
the  trees,  holding  Anne  in  his  arms. 

^^Come  away,"  said  his  wife,  taking  him 
by  the  sleeve;  ^^  'tis  too  sacred  a  scene  for 
us  to  look  upon. ' ' 

It  took  but  a  few  weeks  for  Anne  to  be 
ready  for  John,  for  an  elaborate  trousseau 
was  not  necessary.  Mrs.  Forrest,  true  to 
her  feminine  instincts,  delighted  in  sorting 
out  linen  from  her  store  as  a  wedding  pres- 
ent for  the  happy  couple. 

On  a  lovely  autumn  day,  when  the  haze 
of  the  Indian-summer  cast  its  dreamy  spell 
over  the  little  church,  John  and  Anne  took 
each  other  for  better  or  worse,  as  long  as 
life  should  last. 

Adam  acted  as  master  of  ceremonies, 
marshaling  in  the  Indians  invited  to  the 
first  marriage  in  Virginia.  Standing  by 
Captain  Smith,  and  as  close  to  the  bridal 
couple  as  possible,  was  Pocahontas,  her 
curious  eyes  watching  every  movement 
made  by  Mr.  Hunt  and  the  wedding  party. 
When  John  placed  the  simple  gold  band 
upon  the  finger  of  Anne,  the  Indian  maid 
held  out  her  left  hand  to  Captain  Smith, 
and  with  a  humoring  smile  he  made  an 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        133 

imaginary  circlet  around  the  marriage 
finger. 

As  soon  as  the  ceremony  was  completed 
she  stepped  up  to  Anne  and  held  out  a 
bundle  of  soft  doeskins. 

^^  Pocahontas  likes  the  white  squaw  now. 
White  squaw  has  warrior  of  her  own. ' ' 


CHAPTER  XX 

So  much  time  had  been  lost  in  the  build- 
ing of  Ratcliffe's  house,  during  which  work 
the  men  had  been  forced  to  leave  off  the 
tilling  of  the  garden  to  hew  and  build,  that 
little  corn  had  been  planted,  and  as  usual 
the  Indian  was  depended  upon  for  supplies. 

An  unlooked-for  obstacle  presented  itself. 
The  cunning  Powhatan  refused  to  barter 
corn  for  beads  and  trinkets.  He  was  ris- 
ing rapidly  to  the  highwater  mark  in  the 
art  of  finance.  The  unwise  gifts  of  New- 
port had  opened  his  eyes  to  the  possibili- 
ties of  commerce.  Guns,  swords,  and 
hatchets  were  now  the  only  recognized 
moneys  for  which  a  bushel  of  corn  could  be 
bought. 

Food  must  be  had,  but  President  Smith 
had  no  mind  to  give  into  the  Indians '  hands 
the  instruments  of  death.  Instead,  he 
seized  the  corn  at  the  muzzle  of  the  gun, 
and  when  that  failed,  Indian  villages  went 
up  in  flames.  Of  course  these  summary 
proceedings  widened  the  gap  between 
Indian  and  white  man.  Constantly  some 
man's  scalp  went  to  add  luster  to  the  name 
of  a  brave. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        135 

Smith  not  only  procured  food,  but  forced 
the  colonists  to  work.  A  new  fort  was 
erected,  new  settlements  established  along 
the  James,  and  the  ground  tilled  as  spring 
came  on,  and  seed  planted  for  the  next 
year's  harvest. 

Meanwhile,  the  London  Company  at 
home  was  listening  to  the  lies  of  Wingfield 
and  Ratcliffe.  President  Smith,  they 
claimed,  was  entirelv  to  blame  for  the  con- 
dition  of  the  settlement;  he  had  upset  all 
law  and  order,  and  seized  the  presidency; 
his  wanton  cruelty  to  the  savage  was  with- 
out excuse,  besides,  he  had  not  found  the 
South  Sea  and  Raleigh's  lost  colony— and 
there  was  no  one  to  tell  that  the  unconscious 
Pocahontas  held  in  her  life  the  answer  to 
their  search. 

The  existing  state  of  affairs  must  be 
altered,  so  the  learned  Company  appointed 
a  governor  to  take  the  place  of  Smith  and 
rule  with  militarv  law.  A  fleet  of  nine  ves- 
sels,  with  men,  women  and  children,  should 
be  sent  as  soon  as  possible  with  provisions, 
and  all  needful  supplies.  Captain  Smith 
and  his  thirty  true  men  were  to  be  sent 
home.  Truly  a  munificent  reward  for  brave 
effort  and  patient  endurance ! 

Meanwhile  President  Smith,  unconscious 
of  coming  disgrace,  was  away  on  a  forag- 


136       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

ing  expedition.  On  the  return  journey, 
being  tired  and  worn  out  with  toil,  he  lay 
down  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat  and  went 
to  sleep. 

A  little  spark,  as  tiny  as  a  pea,  floated 
from  a  pipe  and  settled  on  the  powder 
pouch  suspended  from  his  belt. 

Dreamless  slumber— a  plunging  and  ris- 
ing of  the  boat— liquid  fire ! 

The  unfortunate  Captain,  screaming  with 
pain,  threw  himself  into  the  water.  His 
horrified  men  could  scarcely  master  his 
struggles  as  they  pulled  him  aboard  and 
rapidly  rowed  for  home.  No  doctor  skilled 
in  burns  was  there  to  tend  him;  onlv  the 
clumsy  fingers  of  men  applied  the  soothing 
oil  and  lint  to  his  burnt  body. 

The  news  of  his  accident  was  carried  by 
lurking  Indians  to  Powhatan  and  came  to 
the  ears  of  Pocahontas.  Her  ^ ^father'' 
hurt— wounded !  The  words  beat  upon  her 
dazed  brain  like  the  strokes  of  a  lash. 

She  must  go  to  him.  Let  Powhatan  kill 
if  he  would.  Speeding  under  cover  of 
night,  with  soothing  ointments  known  to 
her  tribe,  she  came  to  Jamestown. 

^^Mv  father,  my  father!  Pocahontas 
wants  her  father." 

Tenderly  and  gently  Mr.  Hunt  led  her 
to  the  bedside  of  John  Smith. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       137 

''Has  my  little  child  come  to  see  her 
father r'  said  the  sick  President.  ''He  has 
missed  his  little  one.  She  has  not  come  to 
see  him  lately.'' 

"Powhatan  not  let  Pocahontas  come. 
She  has  herbs  to  make  her  father  well." 

Turning  to  Mr.  Hunt  she  said,  "Yon  ask 
Great  Spirit  to  make  Pocahontas's  father 
well,  Pocahontas  give  many  gifts  in 
return. ' ' 

"I  have  already  done  so,  my  child.  The 
Great  Spirit  does  not  need  to  be  bought 
with  gifts.  He  loves  your  father  more  than 
even  you  do." 

But  she  shook  her  head  in  unbelief  of 
this  last  assertion. 

Finding  that  his  wounds  were  of  too  seri- 
ous a  nature  for  simple  remedies.  Smith 
determined  to  return  home  on  Captain 
Argall's  ship,  now  lying  at  her  moorings 
in  the  harbor. 

Pocahontas  was  kneeling  by  his  side 
when  he  told  her  of  his  coming  departure. 
Locking  her  hands  together,  she  bowed  her 
head  upon  them  and  abandoned  herself  to 
grief. 

' '  Do  not  grieve  so,  my  child ;  your  father 
will  still  love  you.  If  I  get  well,  doubtless 
I  shall  come  back  to  you,  or  perhaps  you 
may  come  across  the  sea  to  me.    Then  I  can 


138       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

show  you  all  the  wonderful  things  I  have 
told  you  of.  Dry  your  tears,  little  one,  they 
hurt  me." 

Passing  her  hands  across  her  eyes,  she 
brushed  away  the  tears. 

• 

'^Pocahontas  will  do  nothing  to  hurt  her 
father.    See,  the  smile  has  chased  the  tears 


away. ' ' 


When  the  day  came  for  his  departure  a 
stretcher  was  prepared  by  his  sorrowing 
friends  and  he  was  placed  upon  it. 

''Let  Pocahontas  hold  his  head  once 
more,"  she  pleaded,  and  the  men  let  her 
have  her  desire.  His  friends  took  up  the 
stretcher  and  the  little  procession  moved 
toward  the  ship,  Pocahontas  holding  the 
head  of  the  sick  man  in  her  arms.  She  fol- 
lowed them  into  the  cabin  and  knelt  in  her 
accustomed  place  by  his  side.  Drawing  her 
head  down,  he  pressed  a  fatherly  kiss  uj)on 
her  brow  and  bade  her  leave  him. 

Standing  on  the  beach  she  watched  the 
receding  ship  as  long  as  it  could  be  seen, 
and  again  did  Eleanor  Dare's  soul  bid 
good-by  to  a  loved  one.  In  her  grand- 
daughter's heart  love  had  taken  the  form 
of  hero  worship.  The  lovely  jacqueminot 
bud  Was  just  beginning  to  unfold  under  the 
kisses  of  the  sun,  when  fate  snatched  the 
burning  rays  away. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        139 

Turning  to  lier  canoe,  rocking  idly  on 
the  water,  she  sprang  in  and  sailed  away, 
not  to  revisit  Jamestown  again  for  three 
long  years. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

After  the  departure  of  Captain  Smith 
the  colony  went  back  to  its  old  habits  of 
laziness  and  mutiny.  In  August  four  of 
the  nine  vessels  sent  out  from  England 
arrived  with  the  dreaded  plague  on  board. 
Then  did  death  outstrip  the  Indian.  Fever- 
stricken  victims  by  the  hundred  lay  dead 
and  dying,  and  the  bodies  of  the  dead  were 
dug  up  and  eaten  by  the  starving. 

Captain  George  Percy,  ill  and  feeble, 
tried  vainly  to  stem  the  rising  tide  of 
disaster,  but  no  mortal  hand  could  prevent 
the  Starving  Time  setting  its  fangs  in  the 
bodies  of  the  remaining  colonists.  "When 
the  wrecked  voyagers  who  had  been  on  the 
ill-fated  Sea  Venture  arrived  from  the 
island  of  Bermuda  there  were  only  sixty 
gaunt,  wild-eyed  settlers  to  greet  them. 
Among  these  living  skeletons  were  George 
Percy,  John  Laydon,  his  wife  Anne,  and 
Adam  Clotworthy. 

Desolation  and  death,  famine  and  plague ! 
No  heart  was  courageous  enough  to  brave 
them. 

*^Home!  Take  us  home  from  this  place 
of  pestilence,"  begged  the  stricken  ones. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        141 

^*Not  one  happy  day  have  we  ever  enjoyed 
here. ' ' 

Brave  Admiral  Somers  listened  to  their 
pleadings.  Jamestown  was  to  be  abandoned 
to  its  savage  owners  again.  Not  a  tear  was 
shed  as  they  sailed  away  from  the  ruinous 
settlement. 

^^Home  to  England,  where  I  can  see 
again  the  brimming  cups  of  sack  and 
haunch  of  roasted  beef/'  came  in  a  low 
whisper  from  the  emaciated  Adam,  lying 
upon  the  deck  of  the  Patience.  ^^  John,  do 
you  think  I  will  ever  live  to  get  there  ? ' ' 

They  had  proceeded  but  a  few  miles  down 
the  James  when  they  were  met  by  a  boat 
rowed  at  full  speed. 

"Stop,  turn  back!  Lord  De  La  Warre, 
Governor  of  Jamestown,  is  lying  at  Point 
Comfort,  and  commands  your  return,'* 
cried  Captain  Brewster.  "He  has  full 
store  of  provisions  and  all  things  need- 
ful. ' ' 

Reader,  have  you  ever  passed  through 
some  ordeal  that  racked  the  body  and  unbal- 
anced the  mind  until  it  was  like  a  loosened 
rock  clinging  to  the  side  of  a  toppling 
crag?  Have  you  ever  been  delivered  from 
this  ghastly  position,  only  to  find  your- 
self plunged  into  the  blackness  of  some 
unfathomable  abyss  I    Then  you  can  under- 


142       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

stand  the  feelings  of  these  niiserahle 
wretches  on  this  June  day  in  the  year  1610. 
They  were  forced  to  return  to  Jamestown, 
for  military  law  ruled  and  a  life  could  be 
easily  taken. 

Back  to  the  dismantled  fort,  to  rotting 
cabins  and  filthy  streets,  they  sorrowfully 
went.  The  cannon  were  dug  up  from  near 
the  gate  of  the  palisade  and  some  prepara- 
tion hastily  made  for  the  reception  of  the 
Governor,  who  arrived  on  Sunday. 

Under  his  strict  though  kindly  rule  they 
repaired  the  cabins,  built  more,  and  refur- 
nished the  church  with  cedar  pews,  ebony 
altar,  and  font.  The  streets  were  cleaned, 
the  gardens  cleared,  and  comfort  reigned 
once  more.  Sunshine  again  shone  out 
among  the  fast  fleeting  clouds,  but  a  small 
cloud,  no  bigger  than  a  man's  hand,  still 
hung  low  down  on  the  horizon. 

The  untiring  efforts  of  the  Governor 
received  a  sudden  check.  Sickness  racked 
his  frame— sickness  that  would  not  loose 
its  hold.  Back  to  England  went  Lord  De 
La  Warre,  leaving  George  Percy  again  in 
charge. 

Up  rose  the  small  cloud  on  the  horizon 
with  lightning  speed,  and  swelled  in  volume 
as  it  came.  Anarchy,  mutiny,  murder  by 
the  savages  once  more  held  full  sway.  Then 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        143 

came  Captain  Argall,  a  second  Ratcliffe, 
and  added  to  the  trouble.  After  a  year  of 
mntiny  under  his  governorship,  Governor 
Dale  ari'ived  to  take  the  hehn  of  state. 

The  storm  was  over.  Its  last  rugged 
edges  were  swept  away  under  the  rigid 
rule  of  tliis  stern  old  Governor.  Each  day 
he  presided  over  the  court  to  mete  out  pun- 
ishment for  the  infraction  of  his  laws. 

"This  man,  your  excellency,  was  caught 
railing  against  your  commands,"  said  a 
soldier  who  did  police  duty. 

''Take  him  to  the   smith v  and  bore   a 

ft/ 

hole  in  his  tdngue.  That  will  silence  him 
for  a  while, ' '  ordered  the  Governor. 

"Charles  Anderson  says  he  is  not 
religiously  inclined  and  refuses  to  go  to 
church,  your  worship." 

"Bread  and  water  and  daily  whipping 
until  he  is  in  a  proper  frame  of  mind," 
ordered  the  Governor. 

"Say,  John,"  said  Adam  Clotworthy, 
meeting  Laydon  on  the  street,  "things 
begin  to  wear  as  fair  a  look  as  they  do  in 
old  England.  Yesterday  I  was  over  to  Mas- 
ter John  Eolfe's  plantation  at  Varina.  He 
has  started  to  grow  tobacco  on  a  large  scale. 
I  wouldn't  be  surprised  if  it  does  not 
become  our  staple  commodity,  now  that 
Governor  Dale  has  abolished  the  common 


144       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

storehouse  and  given  every  man  a  house 
and  land  that  he  can  call  his  own." 

^ '  He  has  solved  the  problem  of  the  settle- 
ment of  Jamestown, ' '  said  Lay  don.  ^  ^  Even 
those  who  were  the  ringleaders  in  mutiny 
have  settled  down  into  sober  and  indus- 
trious farmers.  Give  a  man  some  object 
in  life  and  the  good  will  surely  come  upper- 
most. You  know  James  Hutchinson,  the 
wildest  rake  in  the  colony?  I  came  by  his 
bit  of  land  just  now  and  saw  him  weeding 
his  cotton  patch.  Well,  I  must  be  moving. 
I  have  to  hill  up  my  corn.  I  hope  to  get 
at  least  fifty  good  bushels  this  year." 


CHAPTER  XXII 

Far  away  on  the  Potomac,  where  the 
steamers  now  toll  their  bells  in  passing, 
Pocahontas  had  lived  for  the  last  three 
years,  in  the  wigwam  of  Japazaws. 

Roaming  by  the  river's  bank  she  lived 
over  again  the  happy  days  when  she  had 
called  Smith  ^'father"  and  he  had  called 
her  ^^ child."  What  had  become  of  him— 
was  he  still  living?  she  wondered.  She 
would  ask  Powhatan  to  send  some  one  to 
England  to  find  out,  for  she  could  not  bear 
to  go  to  Jamestown  and  miss  him  at  every 
turn. 

Looking  down  the  river  she  descried  a 
ship  approaching,  filled  with  white  men. 
Calling  Japazaws,  and  pointing  to  the  ship, 
she  said,  '^Pocahontas  will  not  see  the  pale- 
faces now.  Her  heart  is  sorrowful,  for 
there  is  no  friendship  between  us.  Pow- 
hatan does  not  heed  the  pleadings  of  his 
best-loved  daughter." 

Hastening  down  to  the  shore,  Japazaws 
welcomed  with  loud  shouts  of  joy  Captain 
Argall  and  his  crew. 

'^  Japazaws  is  greatly  honored  by  your 
coming.  Opechancanough  has  told  him  of 
the  presents  you  bestow.    Everything  in  his 

10 


146       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

poor  village  is  at  your  command."  And  he 
bade  his  squaw  bring  refreshments  for  his 
guests  and  tobacco  for  their  pipes. 

Pocahontas,  who  had  disappeared,  heard 
the  echo  of  their  voices  and  found  herself 
unable  to  keep  away.  Perhaps  they  could 
tell  her  something  of  her  ''father."  She 
must  find  out.  Coming  forward,  she  added 
her  welcome  to  that  of  the  Indians. 

"Pocahontas  once  loved  your  people  and 
came  to  Jamestown  to  visit  them." 

''I  have  heard  many  kind  things  of  her 
whom  the  pale-faces  call  the  'Blessed  Poca- 
hontas,' "  Argall  replied. 

"Has  the  chief  with  the  shining  body 
returned?"  she  inquired. 

"No,  he  is  dead,"  replied  Argall,  who 
was  of  the  nature  that  does  not  mind  tell- 
ing a  wanton  lie. 

She  turned  sorrowfully  away.  All  links 
with  the  happy  past  were  broken.  There 
was  no  one  at  Jamestown  now  who  would 
love  her  as  her  "father"  had  done.  It 
would  only  bring  pain  to  visit  there  again. 

While  Argall  was  talking  with  Poca- 
hontas a  happy  inspiration  seized  him.  He 
would  take  her,  by  force  if  necessary,  to 
Jamestown  as  a  hostage  of  peace  between 
Powhatan  and  the  settlers.  Fame  would 
come  to  him  and  no  doubt  he  would  be 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        147 

rewarded.  Nothing  could  be  better,  he 
thought,  and  he  immediately  set  to 
work  on  the  well-known  greed  of  Japa- 
zaws  to  gain  his  end. 

^ '  Come  down  to  the  ship,  Japazaws ;  I 
have  something  to  show  yon.'^ 

When  they  arrived  there  he  brought 
forth  a  kettle,  and  placing  it  before  the 
longing  eyes  of  the  Indian,  said,  '*Look  at 
this  copper  kettle;  see  how  it  shines  and 
glistens.  Only  great  kings  use  them— not 
even  Powhatan  has  one  like  it.'' 

^'How  many  bushels  of  corn  does  the 
white  chief  want!" 

'^Not  one  bushel  shall  it  cost  you," 
replied  Argall.  '  ^  Only  a  little  thing,  a  very 
little  thing,  I  ask  in  return." 

''What  does  the  great  chief  desire?" 
inquired  the  crafty  Japazaws. 

''Bring  Pocahontas  as  a  captive  to  my 
ship  to-morrow  and  the  kettle  is  yours. 
Also  I  will  bestow  many  presents  of  guns 
and  hatchets  when  next  you  visit  James- 
town. ' ' 

"Japazaws  dare  not.  Powhatan  would 
kill,"  said  Japazaws. 

"He  need  never  know.  Tell  him  that  I 
took  her  and  then  turned  the  great  guns  of 
my  ship  upon  you. ' ' 

"It  is  enough.     Japazaws  will  do  it  to 


148       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

show  his  love  for  the  white  man.  Forget 
not  the  copper  kettle/' 

Back  went  Japazaws  and  told  his  wife 
of  his  bargain,  but  she  was  very  unwilling 
to  betray  Pocahontas. 

''Japazaws  will  beat  hard  if  the  squaw 
not  obey.''  At  that  threat  she  quailed  and 
consented  to  aid  him. 

The  next  day  she  told  Pocahontas  that 
she  and  her  husband  were  going  on  board 
the  white  man's  ship  and  wanted  her  to  go, 
too.  There  would  be  no  danger,  she  said. 
The  pale  faces  were  friends.  All  would  be 
well. 

Captain  Argall  received  them  with  a 
great  show  of  friendship  and  spread  a  feast 
in  their  honor.  English  food  that  they  had 
never  tasted  was  placed  before  them. 

''Taste  of  this,  Japazaws,"  said  Argall, 
handing  a  dish  of  veal  sweetbread  to  him. 

Japazaws  took  a  huge  mouthful,  rolled 
it  around  once  or  twice,  and  then  s]Dit  it  out 
upon  the  floor.  "Ugh!  Bad  mush!" 
exclaimed  the  disgusted  chief. 

After  the  repast  was  over  Argall  enticed 
Pocahontas  into  the  gun-room  to  look  at 
the  wonderful  cannon.  Wbile  she  was  mar- 
veling at  the  great  guns  he  said,  "You  are 
to  go  with  me  to  Jamestown  as  a  hostage 
for  your  people.    There  will  be  peace  with 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        149 

Powhatan,  and  the  murder  of  our  people 
will  cease/' 

A  long  heart-broken  wail  floated  over  the 
water.  In  came  running  Japazaws  and  his 
squaw  to  learn  the  cause  of  her  sorrow. 

''Japazaws  take  Pocahontas  back.  The 
white  chief  would  make  her  a  captive," 
cried  the  unhappy  girl. 

''I  will  turn  the  great  guns  on  his  wig- 
wams and  kill  his  people  if  he  carries  you 
away/'  said  Argall. 

All  the  while  Japazaws  was  making  the 
welkin  ring  with  howls.  ''How  is  Japa- 
zaws to  answer  to  Powhatan  ? "  he  yelled,  at 
the  same  time  treading  hard  on  the  pet 
corn  of  Argall  to  remind  him  of  the  copper 
kettle. 

As  ArgalPs  ship  moored  at  the  landing 
at  Jamestown  many  of  the  settlers  came 
down  to  meet  him  and  hear  of  his 
adventures. 

"^Tiom  think  you  I  have  brought  back 
with  me,  as  a  captive!"  cried  Argall 
pompously. 

"Not  Powhatan?"  exclaimed  Laydon. 

"Pshaw!  might  as  well  try  to  put  salt 
on  a  snipe's  tail  as  catch  that  old  rat.  But 
I  have  the  next  best  thing— Pocahontas,  his 
daughter."  Then  he  narrated  the  manner 
of  her  capture. 


150       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

^^How  could  vou  have  the  heart  to  do 
itr'  said  a  woman  standing  by. 

^'I  can  do  anything  that  will  redound  to 
my  own  personal  gain/'  replied  Argall. 

^^You  men  are  ever  hunting  down  some 
poor  female/'  remarked  the  wife  of  a  set- 
tler, who  had  recently  bought  her  for  forty 
pounds  of  tobacco. 

^^I  take  notice  that  they  are  very  careful 
to  be  caught,"  returned  Argall.  ^'I  will 
now  fetch  the  captive  from  the  gun-room. ' ' 

Disappearing  within  the  ship,  he  pres- 
ently came  out  leading  a  maiden,  slow  of 
gait  and  with  bowed  head. 

''Welcome  back  to  Jamestown,  Poca- 
hontas, friend  of  the  English, ' '  cried  Adam 
Clotworthy,  who  still  retained  vivid  remem- 
brances of  her  bount>^ 

Throwing  back  her  head  she  faced  the 
group  of  colonists,  and  in  accents  of 
blended  scorn  and  pain  poured  forth  the 
recital  of  her  wrongs : 

"What  is  this  you  do  to    Pocahontas,   daughter  of 

Powhatan  ? 
Where  is  the  memory  of  her  kindness? 
When  starvation  slayed  your  people  and  sickness 
Laid  them  low,  many  times  she  came  with  food. 
When  Powhatan  plotted  destruction,  through  sleet 
And  storm  she   came,  braving  her   father's  anger, 
Because  of  the  love  she  bore  you. 
Now  Pocahontas  is  taken  from  her  people  and 
Walks  a  stranger  among  you." 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       151 

Then  from  among  the  men  stepped  fair- 
haired,  blue-eyed  young  Rolfe  and  in  low 
accents  tried  to  comfort  her. 

^^Do  not  be  so  sorrowful,  maiden.  We 
will  be  as  kindred  to  you.  John  Rolfe  will 
be  your  brother  and  protect  you  with  his 
life. ' ' 

^'Let  her  come  to  me,"  said  the  matron, 
Anne  Laydon.  She  needs  a  woman's  care. 
She  shall  live  with  me  and  I  will  befriend 
her."  And  putting  her  arm  around  the 
waist  of  the  Indian  maiden  she  led  her  to 
her  cabin. 

John  Laydon  had  steadily  prospered,  and 
as  the  first  fruits  of  his  gain  he  erected  a 
pleasant  house  for  Anne.  Furniture  from 
the  mother  country  was  brought  over,  a 
piece  at  a  time,  for  his  cherished  wife. 
Now  he  welcomed  the  poor  little  captive  in 
friendlv  words. 

''John  Laydon  has  not  forgotten  the 
kindness  of  Pocahontas  in  the  vears 
that  are  past.  She  is  welcome  to  his 
house. ' ' 

''Pocahontas  shall  share  the  room  with 
my  baby  girl.  Will  she  not  love  the  little 
papoose!"  said  Anne. 

The  Indian  maid,  who  loved  everjiihing 
that  was  small  and  helpless,  went  down  on 
her  knees  beside  the  cradle  to  caress  the 


152       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

pink  toes  and  kiss  the  dimpled  hands  of  the 
little  two-year-old  baby.  In  a  few  days  the 
little  one  could  be  seen  holding  on  by  the 
fringe  on  Pocahontas 's  skirt  as  she  toddled 
after  her. 

Under  the  capable  supervision  of  the 
vouns:  matron  Pocahontas  commenced  to 
learn  the  art  of  housekeeping.  Following 
Anne,  who  flitted  from  one  spot  to  another 
like  a  humming-bird,  she  learned  to  manage 
the  spinning-wheel  and  loom.  Various  tiny 
garments  for  the  baby  daughter  of  her 
benefactress  were  made  by  Pocahontas, 
whose  skilful  fingers  soon  learned  the  use 
of  the  steel  needle.  Always  some  bright 
bit  of  Indian  decoration  could  be  found 
on  them.  She  made  dainty  moccasins, 
embroidered  in  beads  of  many  colors,  for 
the  tiny  feet. 

At  first  her  Indian  blood  chafed  against 
the  narrow  confines  of  Jamestown,  shut  up 
within  the  palisades ;  but  after  a  while  other 
forces  began  to  work  within  her,  and 
she  became  more  reconciled  as  the  year 
drifted  bv. 

Eolfe's  pity  and  sympathy  for  her  made 
him  seek  her  society  frequently.  He  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  instructing  her  in  the 
Christian  religion,  and  teaching  her  how  to 
read  and  speak  the  English  language  with 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        153 

fluency.  She  constantly  reminded  him  of  a 
slender  lily,  swaying  in  the  breeze,  and 
when  alone  with  her  he  always  called  her 
Lily. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

A  mellow  afternoon  in  October.  The 
purple  clusters  of  grapes  peep  invitingly 
out  from  among  the  dark  green  leaves,  and 
the  invitation  is  eagerly  accepted  by  the 
honey-  and  bumble-bees.  Their  droning 
hum  fills  the  drowsy  air  with  booming 
music. 

Down  to  a  favorite  nook  by  the  side  of 
the  church  strolled  John  Rolfe  and  Poca- 
hontas for  the  daily  lesson. 

''Tell  Pocahontas  again  of  the  Son  of 
the  Great  Spirit." 

In  fervent,  glowing  words  he  repeated 
the  story  of  the  sacrifice  of  the  Incarnate 
Son  of  God.  Springing  to  her  feet  and 
throwing  up  her  arms  she  cried,  *^  Poca- 
hontas loves  the  Royal  Christ,''  then 
falling  to  her  knees  she  faltered  out,  ''Poca- 
hontas would  serve  Him  as  the  pale 
faces  do.'' 

A  deep  joy  filled  the  heart  of  the  young 
teacher.  One  more  soul  for  the  angels  to 
sing  over. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  among  the 
colonists  when  tlie}^  heard  that  Pocahontas 
was    to    be    baptized,    and   Anne    Laydon 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       155 

elected  herself  as  one  of  her  god-mothers. 
When  it  came  to  choosing  a  god-father, 
Pocahontas  settled  the  matter  by  saying, 
"Adam  be  god-father— Pocahontas  hurt 
Adam— called  him  Okee.  Pocahontas 
sorry. ' ' 

Those  who  assembled  to  witness  Poca- 
hontas the  Indian  maid  changed  into 
Rebecca  the  Christian  conld  not  hear  the 
echo  of  the  priest's  voice  which  more  than 
twenty  years  before  had  baptized  her 
mother,  Virginia  Dare,  on  Eoanoke  Island. 
The  echo  was  there,  nevertheless. 

tF  tP  "vP 

Lingering  fall  paled  slowly  into  the  drab- 
hued  tints  of  winter.  Brown  stalks  of  dead 
nettles  stood  stiffly  up  in  soldierly  array 
from  the  dry  stubble  around  their  feet. 
Somber  cedars  added  a  mournful  note  to 
the  cheerless  scene  around  the  churchyard. 
Back  and  forth  paced  Rolfe  muffled  in  his 
cloak,  with  a  soft  dark  hat  pulled  low  over 
his  brow.  The  depressing  note  sounded  by 
winter  found  a  ready  echo  within  his  heart, 
a  heart  compounded  of  a  curious  mingling 
of  Puritan  and  Cavalier. 

In  teaching  Pocahontas  to  speak  the  Eng- 
lish language  he  had  unwittingly  learned 
another    language    himself— the    hitherto 


156       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

unknown  language  of  love.  His  uncertain 
steps  carried  him  past  the  grave  where  the 
wife  who  had  forsaken  all  to  follow  him 
across  to  Virginia  rested.  Thoughts  of  her 
and  his  early  life  in  England  rose  up  like 
an  accusing  voice  to  confront  the  love  he 
was  nurturing  in  his  heart. 

^Vhy  had  it  been  their  misfortune  that 
their  lands  stepped  together  in  old  Eng- 
land? Why  were  they  betrothed  in  child- 
hood, when  neither  knew  what  the  future 
might  bring  forth?  Why  had  he  weakly 
yielded  to  the  will  of  his  father?  Then  he 
did  not  care,  no  love  had  been  between  him 
and  the  woman  lying  there ;  here  an  accus 
ing  voice  made  itself  heard— alas,  she  had 
cared.  Looks  and  loving  attentions  ranged 
themselves  in  a  phantom  picture  to  testify 
to  her  love. 

He  remembered  his  disapproval  of  the 
pretty  colors  she  had  worn  to  try  to  make 
herself  comely  in  his  eyes.  Her  face  did 
not  possess  the  alluring  attraction  of 
beautiful  features,  and  was  only  re- 
deemed from  plainness  by  the  change- 
ful expression,  indexing  faithfully  the 
varying  emotions  of  the  heart.  How 
plain  she  had  seemed  when  at  his 
command  she  dressed  in  sober  gray,  and 
tight  bands  of  straw-colored  hair  lay  where 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       157 

the  fluffy  curls  had  strayed.  In  those  days 
he  had  not  thought  it  beseeming  a  godly 
matron  to  use  the  crisping  pins  or  deck  the 
sinful  body  in  gay-colored  robes. 

A  wave  of  pity  for  her,  born  of  his 
love  for  another,  swept  over  him  at  the 
remembrance  of  her  words  at  the  birth  of 
their  little  daughter  on  the  island  of  Ber- 
muda. 

^^I  would  that  it  had  been  a  boy,  John. 
Then  perhaps  you  might  have  learned  to 
love  the  mother. ' ' 

No  words  of  tender  assurance  and  com- 
fort had  come  to  his  lips ;  there  was  nothing 
in  his  heart  to  prompt  them.  His  answer 
had  been  another  blow  to  her  hungry 
heart. 

*^We  must  make  the  best  of  it,  wife,'' 
he  had  replied,  as  he  gravely  kissed  her 
brow,  ignoring  her  loving  lips. 

Then  the  little  Bermuda  died  on  the 
voyage  from  the  island  to  Virginia,  and  the 
mother  followed  soon  after  they  reached 
Jamestown.  The  learned  doctor  spoke 
wisely  of  a  frail  constitution,  worn  out  by 
the  hardships  of  the  voyage  and  wreck  of 
the  ship.  The  wise  Hippocrates  might  have 
been  mistaken— perhaps  her  heart  had  died 
for  lack  of  nourishment.  He  paused  beside 
the  long  grave,  and  resting  his  hand  upon 


158       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

the  marble  cross,  held  cominiinion  with  his 
unloved  dead. 

'^"Wife,  yon  koow  what  it  is  to  love,  to 
feel  the  heart  he-at  to  siitTocation  in  the 
presence  of  the  beloved.  It  was  not  my 
fault  that  I  could  not  give  you  what  you 
craved.  Love  will  not  go  or  come  at  the 
bidding  of  the  will.  In  the  clearer  light  in 
wMcli  you  live  let  your  pity  and  compas- 
sion cover  my  sins  of  neglect. ' ' 

A  sense  of  comfort  stole  over  him  which 
he  interpreted  as  forgiveness  from  the 
spirit  dwelling  where  there  is  no  marrying 
or  giving  in  marriage.  He  felt  free  to 
think  of  his  love  for  Pocahontas. 

Hardly  had  he  settled  this  matter  with 
his  conscience  than  Pride  awoke  and 
demanded  a  hearing.  Many  were  the  weary 
battles  he  fought  with  it.  AVhat  would  his 
equals  think  of  a  marriage  between  him  and 
the  Indian  maiden!  He  felt  a  just  pride 
in  his  honorable  line  of  ancestry.  Would 
he  be  stooping  to  a  mesalliance?  There 
were  fair  ladies  in  England  whom  he  could 
wed,  for  he  had  much  influence  to  back  him. 
They  would  bring  name  and  fortune  to  add 
to  his. 

^'Pocahontas  is  a  princess,  daughter 
of  the  King  of  Virginia,''  whispered 
Inclination. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        159 

'^True,"  retorted  Pride,  ^'but  can  an 
Indian  princess  match  with  the  house  of 
Rolf  e  ? ' '' 

Through  the  rest  of  tiie  winter  Inclina- 
tion and  Pride  wrestled  for  the  mastery, 
using-  the  mind  and  body  of  Rolfe  as  a 
battleground.  When  spring  came  Pride 
gathered  its  forces  and  took  a  determined 
stand  for  its  last  great  effort.  Both  in 
front  and  on  the  flank  it  brought  up  over- 
whelming arguments  and  charged  down 
upon  Rolfe  as  he  sat  under  a  copper  beech, 
alone  with  his  thoughts. 

^'Listen  to  the  contemptuous  comments 
of  the  council  and  the  grieved  reproaches 
of  vour  relations  at  home, ' '  exhorted  Pride. 
''Hear  them  saying,  'Who  w^ould  have 
thought  that  the  stately  and  dignified  Rolfe 
could  have  stooped  to  mingle  his  proud 
blood  with  that  of  a  savage,  when  he  could 
have  wedded  with  some  gifted  lady  of  Eng- 
land!' Think  of  the  example  set  the  men 
of  the  colony.  They  will  think  that  with 
such  an  illustrious  precedent  any  Indian 
woman  will  be  a  fit  mate.  No  need  to  wait 
for  the  coming  of  damsels  from  the  mother 
country.  Families  of  Indian  squaws  and 
half-breeds  will  be  the  fashion  in  Virginia.'' 

But  Inclination  brought  the  thousand 
calls  of  birds,  and  flowers  with  love-tipped 


160       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

darts  to  withstand  the  shock  of  the  armies 
of  Pride.  Far  awav  in  the  distance  sounded 
the  sweet  call  of  the  partridge  to  its  mate; 
flocks  of  pigeons  sailing  overhead  settled 
down  on  the  eaves  of  the  cabins  to  prune 
their  silver  breasts  and  lean  their  heads 
confidingly  together;  up  in  the  tree  above, 
a  mocking-bird  sang  a  love  song  of  sur- 
passing beauty  to  the  coy  mate  brooding  on 
a  branch  below,  and  its  liquid  notes,  filled 
with  passionate  sweetness  drawn  from  the 
deep  w^ells  of  the  heart,  swept  the  routed 
ranks  of  Pride  from  the  hard-fought  field, 
leaving  Inclination  victor. 

Throwing  back  his  head,  Rolfe  cried 
aloud  to  the  silence  surrounding  him: 

^  ^  Let  the  world  say  what  it  will,  I  do  not 
care !  I  have  my  own  life  to  lead,  and  will 
not  bow  to  the  dictates  of  any  human 
being.''  Over  his  countenance  flashed  a 
look  of  exultation.  ^^I  love  her!  Love  her! 
Love  her!  She  shall  be  mine  that  I  may 
drink  of  her  sweetness. ' ' 

The  slowly  dying  sun,  resting  on  a  bank 
of  lurid  clouds,  blazed  up  once  more  to 
welcome  the  new  disciple  of  the  god  of  love. 

^  ^  Come,  Lily, ' '  said  Eolf e  on  the  ensuing 
morning,  ^^let  us  take  the  canoe  and  go 
over  to  the  pond  where  the  lilies  are  in 
bloom.'' 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        161 

As  long  as  they  were  in  sight  of  the 
palisades  surrounding  the  settlement  he 
rowed  with  strong  vigorous  strokes,  but 
when  the  winding  of  the  shore  hid  them 
from  view  he  ceased  and  let  the  boat  drift 
idly  that  he  might  feast  his  eyes  on  the 
glowing  beauty  of  Pocahontas,  who  with 
half  averted  face  was  trailing  a  slender 
hand  through  the  amber  water.  How 
exquisite  was  the  line  of  beauty  sweeping 
from  the  nape  of  her  neck  along  the  grace- 
ful curve  of  the  spine!  What  could  rival 
the  pomegranate  flower  upon  her  cheek? 

' '  Fool,  fool, ' '  muttered  Eolf e  inwardly  to 
himself,  ^'to  weigh  for  one  single  moment 
love  for  that  flower  with  cold  critical 
Pride. '^ 

Picking  up  the  paddles  again,  he  sent 
the  canoe  into  a  shadowed  pond  filled  with 
water-lilies,  and  canox3ied  in  green  foliage 
picked  out  in  golden  sunbeams.  Close  by 
the  bank  the  water-lilies  grew  thickest. 
There  he  rested  again,  while  Pocahontas 
filled  her  lap  with  the  blossoms.  Gathering 
two  or  three,  she  held  them  off  at  arm's 
length  to  admire  their  beauty,  bestowing 
on  them  a  loving  glance  that  gave  a  jealous 
pang  to  Rolfe.  A  green  and  gold  humming- 
bird darted  down  on  gauzy  wings  to  sip  the 
honey  glittering  like  dewdrops  within  their 


162       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

powdered  stamens.  Pocahontas  held  her- 
self motionless,  hardly  breathing  lest  the 
tiny  sprite  should  dart  away.  A  faint 
tremor  of  her  arm,  and  lo,  it  was  gone. 

Leaning  forWard  and  fixing  his  burning 
gaze  upon  her,  Eolf e  said : 

^'Lily  does  not  look  at  John  as  she  used 
to  do.  Her  eyes  hide  aw'ay  under  the 
fringed  lashes.    Is  she  angry  with  him?" 

^ '  Pocahontas  could  not  be  angry  with  her 
friend,"  she  murmured,  busying  herself 
with  the  lilies  lying  in  her  lap. 

^  ^  Will  Lilv  care  when  John  leaves  James- 
town,  and  goes  to  England,  never  to 
return  ? ' ' 

"John  leave  Pocahontas  alone?"  gasped 
the  fear-stricken  girl,  clutching  at  her 
breast  and  scattering  the  lilies  in  every 
direction. 

His  answer  w^as  written  in  her  working 
features  and  heaving  bosom. 

"Nay,  Lily,  John  did  not  mean  it;  he 
was  onlv  tr^dng  to  see  if  vou  cared  as  he 
did,"  he  exclaimed,  springing  to  her  side 
and  crushing  the  lily  petals  under  foot  in' 
his  haste  to  reach  her. 

Drawing  her  to  his  breast,  he  pressed  his 
cheek  against  her  hair.  "John  loves  you 
better  than  life.  Will  you  come  to  his 
cabin  and  be  his  dearly  loved  wife?" 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        163 

For  a  few  moments  she  lav  on  his  breast 
as  if  stunned,  without  power  to  move  or 
speak.  In  one  hrief  instant  he  has  stabbed 
her  with  pain  and  offered  her  his  love. 

''Lily  has  not  answered  John." 

Eaising  her  head  she  said  with  a  mourn- 
ful smile,  ''Pocahontas  was  exceeding  sor- 
rowful when  her  'father'  went  away,  but 
no  knife  pierced  her  heart  as  it  did  just 
now. ' '  She  stroked  his  cheek  with  a  caress- 
ing" hand,  and  outlining  his  lix)s  with  a 
dainty  forefinger  continued,  "Let  these 
lips  say  again,  'John  will  not  leave  Poca- 
hontas alone.'  She  will  fade  away  as  the 
flowers  do  when  the  frost  spirit  lays  his 
black  hand  upon  them. ' ' 

"John  could  not  leave  his  treasure 
alone,"  he  replied,  crushing  her  to  his 
breast  and  covering  her  face  and  hands 
with  passionate  kisses.  "My  heart's  dar- 
ling, John  could  not  live  unless  he  could  see 
the  light  in  these  dear  eyes.  Thus  and  thus 
he  loves  them,"  imprinting  a  kiss  on  each. 
Bending  back  her  head,  his  lips  sought 
in  a  long  clinging  pressure  the  cupid's  kiss 
nestling  in  the  hollow  of  her  throat.  "Now 
let  my  darling  say  she  loves  John  better 
than  all  else  in  the  world. ' ' 

Leaning  over  the  boat  as  far  as  his 
jealous  arm  would  let  her,  she  gathered  a 


164       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

tightly  closed  bud,  a  half-open  one  and  a 
full-blown  lily.  Laying  them  on  her  lap, 
she  said  in  a  low  sweet  voice: 

^'Pocahontas  will  give  John  his  answer 
in  the  language  of  the  lily.  Many  moons 
ago— ah,  so  many  moons  it  seems  to  the 
lily— a  tightly  closed  bud  slumbered  upon 
its  bed  of  green  leaves,  not  knowing  or  car- 
ing for  the  world  -beyond.  One  morning  a 
sunbeam  came  from  the  east  and  showered 
its  smile  upon  her.  New  throbs  of  life 
pulsated  in  her  heart  as  she  rocked  upon 
the  ripples.  Under  its  sunny  smile  the 
green  mantle  parted  and  showed  the  white 
satin  petals  beneath.  She  called  the  sun- 
beam '  father. '  A  dark  cloud  arose  and  hid 
the  sunbeam,  leaving  the  half-awakened 
lily  to  breast  the  storm  of  sorrow  and 
loneliness.  Eude  hands  tore  her  from  her 
resting-place  to  plant  in  strange  waters. 
Longing  for  the  father  sunbeam  beat  the 
lily  downward  on  its  red  brown  stem.  Then 
came  another  sunbeam  and  sent  its  cheer- 
ing warmth  straight  to  the  heart  of  the 
lily.  Stronger  and  stronger  grew  the  sun- 
beam as  the  day  grew  older.  Light,  hope, 
and  joy  thrust  apart  the  green  mantle  and 
trembling  petals,  laying  bare  the  quivering 
golden  heart  wide  open  to  the  sun.  Has 
Pocahontas  answered  Johnf 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       165 

Bowing  his  head  upon  his  breast,  he  mur- 
mured, "0  God,  I  am  not  worthy  of  the 
great  love  of  two  such  woman  hearts.'' 

Love  had  taught  him  how  to  measure  the 
rich  gift  of  his  dead  wife's  heart. 

It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  he  left 
this  earthlv  Eden  to  row  back  to  James- 
town.  He  must  write  to  Governor  Dale  and 
obtain  his  consent  to  his  marriage  with 
Pocahontas,  now  the  Christian  maid 
Rebecca. 

Much  to  his  surprise,  a  speedy  answer 
giving  consent  to  the  nuptials  came  from 
the  bluff  Governor.  An  early  day  was 
appointed  for  the  wedding  and  an  in\dta- 
tion  sent  to  Powhatan. 

That  grim  old  veteran  had  been  filled 
with  rage  when  he  learned  of  his  daughter 's 
capture  by  Argall.  Messengers  sent  to  bar- 
ter for  her  ransom  had  been  chased  from 
his  doors.  Nevertheless,  during  her  two 
years  of  captivity  the  murder  of  the  colo- 
nists ceased.  Security  and  peace  had  been 
brought  to  the  settlement  by  the  ^^  Blessed 
Pocahontas." 

Rallying  his  fast-failing  powers,  he  now 
attempted  a  dignified  oration  in  which  he 
gave  his  consent  to  Pocahontas 's  marriage, 
but  ere  he  reached  its  end,  love  for  the  long- 
absent  daughter  and  the  loneliness  of  old 


1G6       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

age,  shattered  his  feeble  attempt  at  dignity. 
His  voice  trailed  away  in  a  plaintive  lament. 

^'Powhatan  is  old,  his  davs  are  few.  Let 
there  be  peace  between  the  real  man  and 
the  pale-face.  Opechancanough  shall  come 
with  Nantaquas,  bearing  wedding  garments 
for  Pocahontas  and  presents  for  the  new 
son,  Eolfe.''  Raising  his  palsied  hands, 
only  to  let  them  fall  helplessly  into  his  lap 
again,  he  murnmred  in  a  far-away  voice, 
''Powhatan  is  wearv— the  warriors  are  call- 
ing  to  him  from  the  liappy  hunting-grounds. 
Let  the  pale  faces  depart. ' ' 

On  the  appointed  day  Anne  Laydon, 
resplendent  in  matronly  dignity,  dressed  the 
bride  in  the  Indian  costume  which  she  was 
to  wear  for  the  last  time. 

A  mantle  of  pigeon  feathers,  gleaming 
in  iridescent  colors  against  a  shimmering 
gray  background,  covered  a  fawn-colored 
skirt  embroidered  in  ruby-colored  beads. 
Her  flowing  black  hair  was  held  in  place 
by  the  rope  of  pearls  she  wore  when  first 
she  met  CajDtain  Smith. 

The  interior  of  the  church  had  been 
decorated  with  great  branches  of  laurel  and 
trailing  honeysuckle.  Fragrant  water  lilies 
were  banked  upon  the  altar. 

Up  the  aisle  stalked  Opej;iehanganough 
and  Nantaquas,  son  of  Pocahontas,  both 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        167 

decorated  in  all  the  glory  of  the  Indian 
brave.  Faces  and  arms  were  tatooed  in 
birds  and  reptiles  to  do  honor  to  the  mar- 
riage of  the  Pearl  of  the  Powhatans. 

As  Rolfe  placed  the  plain  gold  band 
upon  her  finger  he  felt  her  hand  tremble 
and  pressed  it  to  give  her  courage.  Did  she 
feel  the  imaginary  circlet  which  long  ago 
Smith  had  traced  upon  her  finger? 

' '  I  pronounce  you  man  and  wife.  Whom- 
soever God  has  joined  together,  let  no  man 
put  asunder,"  said  the  priest.  As  he 
ceased  a  quivering  shaft  of  sunlight  poured 
through  the  altar  window,  wrapping  the 
kneeling  couple  in  a  shimmering  veil  of 
gold. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

For  two  years  Pocahontas  had  kept 
sweet  the  ingle-nook  at  Varina  for  her  hus- 
band. Then  she  was  crowned  with  the  dia- 
dem of  motherhood.  A  baby  boy  came  to 
weld  into  an  indissoluble  bond  their  loving 
hearts. 

When  night  stole  over  the  plantation  and 
the  tallow  candles  were  lit  in  the  sconces 
Rolfe  would  sit  by  the  fire  puffing  clouds 
of  smoke  from  a  curiously  carved  pipe  pre- 
sented by  Nantaquas,  and  plan  for  the  edu- 
cation of  the  little  son  lying  asleep  in  the 
cradle  which  Pocahontas  kept  in  motion 
with  her  foot  while  she  sewed  on  tiny  baby 
garments. 

^^Lily,  we  will  take  him  to  England  and 
place  him  at  Cambridge.  There  he  will 
grow  into  a  famous  man,  and  by  and  by 
take  a  wife  as  his  father  did  before  him." 

With  a  jealous  movement  she  bent  over 
the  sleeping  babe,  as  if  to  protect  him  from 
unknown  dangers. 

'^Nay,  John,  Pocahontas  will  not  give  her 
son  to  any  maiden.  He  is  her  own,  and  she 
will  not  let  him  go  from  her  across  the 
seas.'' 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       169 


i( 


Ah,  Lily,  you  are  like  all  mothers, 
jealous  of  every  maiden  as  soon  as  a  son 
is  born  to  her,"  he  laughingly  replied.  *^I 
would  not  separate  you  from  our  boy,  he 
needs  his  mother  too  much.  Whenever  he 
goes,  you  shall  accompany  him.  Your 
kindness  to  the  colonists,  when  they  were  in 
suffering,  has  long  ago  reached  England. 
All  London  rinsrs  with  vour  fame  and  thev 
long  to  see  you.  Wealth  has  come  to  me 
through  my  tobacco  plantation,  and  my 
darling  shall  have  rich  robes  of  gorgeous 
hues  to  enhance  her  loveliness  and  vie  with 
the  jewels  glistening  in  her  hair.'' 

Then  a  slender  form,  gowned  in  sober 
gray,  with  smooth  bands  of  light  hair  under 
a  plain  cap,  flitted  before  his  vision.  With 
a  frown  of  impatience  he  quickly  banished 
the  unwelcome  vision. 

The  words  spoken  half  in  jest,  half  in 
earnest  by  Eolfe,  came  true.  One  day  he 
came  running  into  the  cabin  waving  a  let- 
ter in  his  hand. 

^^Lily,  I  have  just  received  this  let- 
ter commanding  me  to  bring  the  Lady 
Rebecca''— bowing  low  to  her  as  he  spoke 
— ^Ho  England,  along  with  her  attendants. 
She  is  to  be  presented  at  court  under  the 
chaperonage  of  Lady  De  La  Warre,  and 
will  be  the  guest  of  the  London  Company. 


170       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

What  has  my  lady  to  say  to  her  humble 
husband  concerning  her  preparations  for 
departure?'' 

''The  will  of  John  is  the  will  of  Poca- 
hontas/' answered  the  obedient  wife. 

"Then,  sweet  one,  we  must  make  all 
haste  possible,  as  we  travel  with  Governor 
Dale  a  week  hence.  The  plantation  must 
be  left  in  charge  of  my  man  Hunter,  and 
we  will  get  Mistress  Laydon  to  come  over 
now  and  then  to  look  after  your  goods  and 
chattels  so  that  your  housewifely  heart 
may  be  at  rest.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  old 
England  again,  and  proud  to  show  my 
darling  to  my  relations  over  there." 

Busy  was  the  week  that  followed,  both 
for  Eolfe  and  Pocahontas;  he  making 
arrangements  for  a  long  absence  and  she 
putting  in  order  the  dearly  loved  home. 

All  Jamestown  was  agog  w'ith  the  news 
of  Pocahontas's  presentation  at  court.  A 
halo  of  new  interest  surrounded  her. 

Elding  home  from  the  fields  late  one 
evening,  Eolfe  saw  Adam  Clotworthy  lean- 
ing against  the  gate. 

' '  Ha,  Adam ;  I  am  riglit  glad  to  see  you. 
Have  you  come  to  take  a  look  at  the  boy?" 

''Yes,  Master  Eolfe,  and  I  find  that  it  is 
harder  to  part  with  him  than  I  thought. 
You  know  he  has  been  dear  to  me  ever 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        171 

since  his  birth.  I  feel  as  if  I  owned  some 
part  of  him,  seeing  that  madam,  his  mother, 
was  so  gracious  as  to  choose  me  for  her 
god-father.  I  came  to  ask  if  you  would 
not  take  me  to  England  as  your  serving- 
man,  and  a  sort  of  under-nurse  to  the  boy. ' ' 

^'Well,  Adam,  I  will  take  you.  Your 
devotion  to  the  boy  weighs  heavily  in  your 
favor. ' ' 

^' Thank  you,  Master  Rolfe,  you  will 
never  have  cause  to  repent  of  your  kind- 
ness as  long  as  the  boy  is  above  ground. ' ' 


CHAPTER   XXV 

Mad  merry  Yule-tide  was  in  full  posses- 
sion of  London  as  the  coach  containing  the 
Lady  Rebecca  and  her  j)arty  posted  up  from 
Plymouth. 

Rolfe  eagerly  pointed  out  to  Pocahontas 
the  various  places  of  interest  as  they  came 
into  South  Wark. 

^'Here  on  our  left,  sweetheart,  is  Erber 
House,  once  the  home  of  Sir  Francis 
Drake.  See  that  round  tower  lying  to  the 
west  of  it  I  That  is  Paris  Garden,  where 
the  common  folk  resort  to  witness  the  bear- 
baiting.  Yonder  to  the  northeast  rises  the 
Tower  of  London.  Long  ago  its  walls 
resounded  with  mirth  and  feasting,  now  it 
is  a  gloomy  prison  house.  Now  turn  your 
dear  eyes  to  the  northwest,  here,  in  this 
direction.  That  pile  of  buildings  is  White- 
hall, where  King  James  holds  court.  Inigo 
Jones,  the  famous  architect,  is  building  a 
magnificent  banqueting  hall  there  for  the 
sovereign,  and—  Why,  what  is  the  matter 
now!  Our  coach  has  come  to  a  standstill,'^ 
he  said  abruptly. 

Putting  his  head  out  of  the  window, 
Rolfe  saw  a  crowd  of  revelers  dressed  in 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        173 

fantastic  garb  surging  around  the  six  white 
horses  drawing  the  coach.  The  oaths  of 
the  postilion  were  met  by  the  jeers  of  the 
mob  swinging  upon  the  bridle  reins. 

^^Make  way  for  the  Lady  Eebecca  of 
Virginia,  you  scum  of  South  Wark.  She 
is  the  King's  guest!"  shouted  the  angry 
jehu. 

'^Is  that  the  commodity  you  carry?  Up, 
my  merry  men,  let's  have  a  look  at  her," 
exclaimed  the  ringleader. 

Up  on  the  wheels  scrambled  three  or  four 
adventurous  spirits,  to  peer  through  the 
coach  windows  at  the  famous  Indian 
princess. 

'^She  is  fairly  well-favored,  saving  her 
copper  skin,"  sang  out  the  Lord  of 
Misrule. 

The  sound  of  his  voice  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  Adam,  seated  beside  the  postilion. 

''By  my  soul,  'tis  scatterbrain  Jack 
Saunders.  Halloa  there!  Jack,  don't  you 
remember  vour  old  comrade?" 

''Father  Christmas!  If  'tis  not  bottle- 
nose  Adam  Clotworthy.  I  would  know  your 
ill-favored  visage  in  Africa.  Say,  man, 
how  did  you  escape  the  scalping-knife,  and 
what  has  become  of  the  Falstatf  paunch 
vou  carried  about?" 

My  own  prowess  kept  off  the  savages," 


i  I 


174       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

replied  Adam.  ^^As  to  my  paimch,  I  had 
to  consume  my  own  fat  during  the  Starving 
Time,  like  the  bears  over  yonder  do  in  win- 
ter. Say,  lad,  I  thought  you  had  been 
buried  long  ago  by  your  ranting  spouse, 
Meg.  Her  temper  must  have  improved 
vastlv  to  allow  vou  to  go  junketing  around 
like  this." 

Jack  scratched  his  shock  head,  and  whis- 
pered with  a  sly  wink,  *'She  thinks  I  am 
down  at  Deptf ord,  looking  after  repairs  on 
old  Sir  Francis  Drake's  ship.  Come  down, 
Adam,  and  have  a  cup  of  ale  for  the  sake 
of  old  times.  We  will  go  to  the  tavern  hard 
by  and  make  a  roaring  night  of  it. ' ' 

Adam  shook  his  head  and  drew  himself 
up  proudly.  ^'I  cannot.  Jack,  I  am  body- 
servant  to  Master  John  Rolfe,  husband  of 
the  Lady  Rebecca.  Besides,  there  is  a  little 
lad  in  there  whom  I  love  as  if  he  were  mine 
own.    I  have  to  keep  straight  for  his  sake. ' ' 

^AHiile  this  conversation  was  taking  place, 
and  the  revelers  were  still  tormenting  the 
driver,  a  band  of  London  apprentices,  with 
clubs  in  their  hands  and  flat  caps  on  their 
heads,  were  coming  at  a  swinging  pace 
across  London  Bridge,  from  the  north  side 
of  the  Thames.  On  perceiving  the  revelers 
blocking  the  way,  they  raised  the  cry  of 
** Clubs,  clubs!"  and  bore  down  upon  the 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        175 

mummers.  Swingiug  their  cudgels  right 
and  left  upon  the  heads  of  the  luckless 
maskers,  they  quickly  cut  a  wide  path  for 
the  coach. 

Down  upon  the  plunging  horses  came 
the  long  curling  whip  of  the  postilion. 
Smarting  under  the  stinging  lash,  they 
plunged  forward  under  the  gateway  of 
London  Bridge,  surmounted  by  a  row  of 
ghastly  heads  set  on  pikes;  and  sweeping 
forward  across  the  bridge,  swerved  to  the 
left,  rattled  down  the  street  echoing  with 
the  postilion's  horn,  and  drew  up  with  a 
flourish  before  the  Mermaid  Inn. 

Out  came  the  obsequious  host  with  many 
bows  to  greet  them.  ^'Why,  Master  Rolfe, 
you  are  a  sight  to  gladden  the  heart.  And 
this  is  the  Lady  Rebecca,  your  wife?  I 
need  not  tell  you,  honored  madam,  that  all 
London  welcomes  you." 

'^Yes,"  said  Eolfe,  ''we  have  just  had 
a  sample  of  their  good  will  on  South  Wark 
side  of  the  Thames." 

"The  Ladv  De  La  Warre  was  here  a 
week  ago  come  Tuesday,  to  engage  rooms 
for  your  party.  Master  Rolfe.  They  are 
in  readiness  and  I  will  conduct  you  to 
them,"  said  the  landlord. 

LTp  a  crooked  stairway  went  Pocahontas, 
followed  bj'  her  party,  to  a  suite  of  rooms 


176       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

overlooking  the  Thames.  Wreaths  of  holly 
and  mistletoe  hung  from  the  ceiling  and 
twined  around  portraits  of  King  James 
and  Queen  Elizabeth.  Through  the  dia- 
mond-paned  window  could  be  seen  the  ship- 
ping plying  back  and  forth  upon  the 
river. 

While  our  friends  were  seated  at  break- 
fast the  next  morning  a  servant  appeared 
with  the  information  that  Lady  De  La 
Warre  waited  below  to  pay  a  visit  to  the 
Lady  Eebecca. 

Rolfe  hastened  down  to  conduct  this  lady 
to  the  presence  of  his  wife.  In  came  the 
stately  dame,  rustling  in  violet  silk  and 
Flanders  lace. 

^'Welcome  to  London,  Lady  Eebecca/^ 
she  said.  ^^My  husband  has  often  told  me 
of  your  many  kindnesses  to  our  colony  in 
Virginia.  I  feel  that  we  are  already 
acquaint. ' ' 

Both  ladies  curtsied  low  to  each  other, 
each  taking  note  of  the  other's  appearance 
in  the  meanwhile. 

When  they  w'ere  seated  Lady  De  La 
AVarre  said  to  Pocahontas,  ''It  will  give 
me  much  pleasure  to  present  you  at  court. 
I  have  many  skilled  needlewomen  waiting 
to  provide  you  with  a  suitable  robe." 

Pocahontas  thanks  Lady  De  La  Warre 


( ( 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        177 

for  her  kind  interest.  She  is  happy  to  be 
in  the  land  of  the  pale-faces/' 

^^You  must  come  and  be  my  guest  until 
after  your  appearance  at  court.  My  lord 
seconds  the  invitation  and  sends  greetings. 
He  is  away  now  with  the  King,  who  is  hunt- 
ing at  Theobalds. '^ 

*' Please  convey  our  sincere  respects  to 
your  noble  lord,  my  lady.  Your  kind  invi- 
tation we  gladly  accept,''  replied  Rolfe, 
answering  for  his  wife. 

^'Now  I  must  take  my  departure,"  said 
Lady  De  La  Warre,  rising.  ^^I  will  send 
my  coach  for  you  to-morrow. 


12 


:j 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

Under  the  kindlv  tuition  of  the  nohle 
lady  Pocahontas  learned  the  court  manner 
of  curtsying  before  the  King,  and  how  to 
manage  the  yards  of  train  to  her  robe.  She 
was  never  tired  of  fingering  its  glossy  folds, 
but  the  stiff  stays  of  the  bodice  were  almost 
unbearable  to  the  slender  frame  that  knew 
no  restraint  but  that  of  nature's  making. 
With  Indian  stoicism,  she  set  herself  to 
endure  civilization's  instruments  of  torture, 
so  great  was  her  desire  to  be  in  all  things 
an  English  woman. 

All  the  trepidation  of  a  first  appearance 
at  court  was  felt  by  Lady  De  La  Warre 
alone.  Pocahontas,  daughter  of  Powhatan, 
felt  no  fear  in  the  presence  of  her  equals. 

On  the  day  of  presentation  Pocahontas, 
accompanied  by  Lady  De  La  Warre  and 
her  attendants,  entered  a  gaily  decorated 
barge  that  was  to  bear  them  to  the  palace 
of  the  king.  From  the  mouth  of  the  gilded 
swan  at  the  prow,  streamers  of  red  and 
blue  swept  upwards  to  the  swelling  sail 
emblazoned  with  the  coat-of-arms  of  Lord 
De  La  Warre.    Under  the  dipping  oars  of 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        179 

the  bargemen  they  sailed  westward  to 
Whitehall  at  Charing  Cross. 

Up  its  broad  landins:  stairs,  past  the 
great  entrance  leading  into  the  surround- 
ing park,  they  came  to  a  halt  in  a  lofty 
antechamber  reserved  for  the  fair  ladies 
who  were  to  make  their  initial  bow  to 
royalty. 

Arriving  late,  they  found  the  Presence 
Chamber  already  thrown  open  and  filled 
by  those  whose  titles  allowed  a  near 
approach  to  the  throne.  Regal  duchesses, 
robed  in  velvets  and  satins  as  varied  as 
the  tints  of  the  rainbow,  glittering  in  jewels 
and  coronets  of  golden  strawberry  leaves, 
together  with  ladies  of  lesser  degree, 
ranged  themselves  in  order  of  precedence 
on  both  sides  of  a  red  velvet  pathway  lead- 
ing to  the  foot  of  the  throne. 

Mingling  with  them  were  the  Knights  of 
the  Bath,  arrayed  in  robes  of  crimson 
tatfeta  lined  with  white  sarcenet,  holding  in 
their  hands  ^^soft  white  hats,  whose  long 
curling  white  plumes  tapped  -against  their 
white  boots." 

Beside  the  massive  throne,  studded  with 
diamonds,  surrounded  by  sapphires,  rubies 
and  pearls,  that  glittered  like  the  sun  among 
the  stars,  stood  Francis  Bacon,  Lord  Chan- 
cellor of  England.     Near  him  was  Abbot, 


180       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

Archbishop    of    Canterbury,    clad    in    his 
episcopal  robes. 

A  sudden  hush  fell  over  the  assemblage. 
The  King  was  entering.  Preceded  by  the 
attendants  of  his  household,  holding  in  their 
hands  their  wands  of  of&ce,  came  James, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  the  Duke  of  Bucking- 
ham, his  latest  favorite.  The  handsome 
face  and  magnificently  attired  person  of  the 
Duke  was  in  startling  contrast  to  the  soiled 
brown  velvet  dress,  buttoned  awry,  of  the 
monarch. 

What  a  spectre  of  a  king !  Eolling  eyes, 
slobbering  mouth,  ricketty  legs  upholding 
a  body  padded  until  it  resembled  a  swollen 
frog.  Not  one  trace  of  the  fascinating 
beauty  of  his  mother,  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots, 
had  descended  to  him. 

To  his  left  walked  grave  and  stately 
Prince  Charles,  clothed  in  white  velvet. 
Then  followed  Queen  Anne  in  blue  velvet 
and  ermine  attended  by  her  ladies-in- 
waiting. 

When  their  majesties  were  seated  and 
their  attendants  took  up  their  positions 
behind  them.  Maxwell,  Lord  Chamberlain, 
began  to  announce  the  names  of  those  wbo 
were  to  bear  the  gaze  of  royalty. 

Titled  beauties  of  England  and  Scotland 
were  alternatelv  announced  by  the  tactful 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       181 

Maxwell,  ever  keeping  in  mind  the  ancient 
jealousy  of  the  two  nations.  The  King,  out 
of  the  kindness  of  his  heart,  took  especial 
notice  of  each  one. 

^'The  Princess  Rebecca,  daughter  of 
Powhatan,  King  of  Virginia!''  cried  Max- 
well in  a  loud  voice. 

Up  the  velvet  aisle  came  Pocahontas  with 
the  gliding  step  of  her  savage  ancestry. 
But  gone  was  the  wild  careless  grace  of 
the  wilderness.  Every  inch  a  queen  she 
moved.  Words  expressive  of  admiration 
and  wonder  were  whispered  on  every  side. 

Her  bosom  and  arms  were  covered  in  a 
flowing  robe  of  yellow  satin.  Upon  its  bro- 
caded surface  the  Fleur  de  Lis  of  France 
cast  lights  and  shadows,  and  its  long- 
pointed  bodice  was  thickly  sown  with  tur- 
quoise and  pearls.  Above  it  rose  a  fluted 
ruff  of  Mechlin  lace.  Three  crimson  plumes 
were  fastened  by  a  diamond  brooch  among 
the  raven  locks  of  her  hair. 

She  sank  gracefully  down  at  the  foot  of 
the  throne. 

^'You  are  verra  welcome  to  our  court, 
Princess,"  said  James.  **Mony  a  tale  of 
your  kindness  to  our  colony  have  we  heard. 
We  expect  you  at  the  banquet  to  be  given 
presently,  where  we  shall  have  much  to  ask 
you  about  vour  kinsman." 


182       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

The  levee  being  over,  King  James  and  his 
Queen  led  the  way  to  the  banqueting  hall, 
followed  by  those  invited  to  dine  in  the 
royal  presence. 

Their  majesties  seated  themselves  upon 
chairs  of  state,  chairs  upholstered  in  orange 
silk.  From  a  crown  above  them  hung  a 
purple  canopy  embroidered  in  roses,  sham- 
rocks, and  thistles. 

Pocahontas  was  marshaled  by  the  Earl 
of  Pembroke  to  a  low  stool  to  the  left  of 
Queen  Anne,  and  somewhat  below  the  royal 
table  raised  upon  a  dais. 

Her  uneasy  eyes  traveled  down  the  long 
table  in  the  middle  of  the  hall,  in  search 
of  her  husband.  He  caught  her  look  and 
smiled  reassuringly.  She  breathed  easily 
again.  John  was  there,  now  she  could  enjoy 
to  the  full  all  the  magnificence  surround- 
ing her. 

Behind  a  railing  that  ran  around  two 
sides  of  the  room  were  a  crowd  of  humble 
citizens,  come  to  view  their  sovereign 
as  he  feasted.  Among  them  was  Adam, 
watching  intently  the  honors  paid  to  Poca- 
hontas. 

^ '  Truly  this  is  a  queersome  world.  There 
sits  a  savage  from  the  wilds  feasting  with 
the  King,  and  poor  Adam  Clotworthy,  a 
citizen  of  London,  has  to  stand  with  the 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       183 

gaping  crowd  behind  the  railing.  But  she 
is  a  jewel,  God  bless  her.  Adam  has  not 
fallen  so  low  as  to  envy  her  good  fortune. '  ^ 
Something  to  this  effect  were  the  rumina- 
tions of  Adam  as  he  leaned  against  a 
balustrade  to  enjoy  the  scene. 

The  walls  of  the  hall  were  hung  in  tapes- 
tries of  gold  and  purple  silk  garnished  with 
pearls  and  amethysts.  In  a  gallery  oppo- 
site the  chairs  of  state  musicians  were 
playing  Christmas  ditties  to  aid  the  diges- 
tion of  the  courtly  guests  seated  at  the  long 
table  extending  the  entire  length  of  the  hall. 
Movable  buffets,  holding  gold  and  silver 
plate,  stood  near  the  King's  dais.  His  table 
was  set  with  rich  gold  plate  once  the 
property  of  the  House  of  Burgundy. 
Agate  cups  held  sparkling  wine  from  the 
vinevards  of  Bordeaux.  From  the  door 
leading  to  the  buttery  issued  the  Lord 
Chamberlain,  followed  by  a  host  of  servants 
bearing  both  delicate  and  substantial  viands 
to  tickle  the  palates  of  the  diners. 

^^My  Lord  of  Suffolk,  fill  the  cup  given 
us  by  the  Constable  of  Castile  and  present 
it  to  the  Princess  Rebecca.  We  drink  her 
health,"  said  James. 

Filling  a  dragon-shaped  goblet  of  crystal 
and  gold  with  sparkling  wine,  the  Lord  of 
Suffolk  presented  it  to   Pocahontas,   who 


184       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

drank  in  acknowledgment  of  the  good- 
natured  monarch's  toast. 

Leaning  across  his  Queen,  James  said 
to  Pocahontas,  ^'Your  roval  father  hath 
used  the  scalping-knife  somewhat  freely 
upon  our  liege  subjects,  we  have  heard.'' 

^^  Powhatan  worships  Okee.  He  bends 
not  the  knee  to  the  Eoyal  Christ.  When 
Warriors  offend,  he  kills.  Therefore  he  is 
feared,  not  loved, ' '  she  answered,  sadly,  un- 
conscious of  the  irony  of  her  reply. 

^'She  has  you  there.  Cousin,"  laughed 
the  jester,  Archie  Armstrong,  shaking  his 
hooded  head  until  the  bells  jangled. 
'*  According  to  our  copper-colored  relative, 
a  Christian  prince  should  not  deprive  his 
loving  siibjects  of  breath  whereby  they  may 
abuse  him.  Therefore,  your  reign  has  been 
a  failure,  as  many  heads  on  London  Bridge 
can  testify.  Shut  up  the  Tower— banish 
the  hangman— give  yourself  over  to  hawk- 
ing, and  place  the  reins  of  government  in 
my  hands." 

*^Ay,  and  a  likely  time  they  wad  have  of 
it,  I  warrant,  you  auld  rattlepated  loon!" 
retorted  the  King. 

The  boar's  head  has  been  consumed;  the 
jeweled  fan  of  the  peacock  trails  low  in  the 
dust;  huge  pastries  washed  down  by  the 
flowing    bowl ;    tables    are    cleared    away, 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       185 

pages  run  hither  and  thither  carrying  silver 
basins  in  which  the  guests  lave  their  hands 
and  dry  them  upon  linen  towels  from  the 
looms  of  Belfast.  The  King  is  now  ready 
to  be  amused. 

Lords  and  ladies  take  their  places  for  the 
ancient  sword  dance,  and  glide  to  the  stir- 
ring measures  of  the  minstrels.  Back  and 
forth  tread  the  gay  participants  in  the 
stately  dance.  Now  the  lovely  maidens 
form  in  a  flowery  line  and  pass  under  the 
arch  of  clashing  swords  of  the  cavaliers. 

^  ^  By  my  saul,  a  braw  sight,  if  'twere  not 
for  the  glittering  steel,"  exclaimed  James, 
turning  away  his  shrinking  gaze  from  the 
up-lifted  swords.  ''Now  my  bonnie  lads 
and  lassies,  let  us  to  the  cards.  Come,  my 
Lord  Chamberlain,  and  you  my  Lord 
Suffolk,  your  loving  father  will  try  his  luck 
at  primero  with  you.'' 

Catching  hold  of  a  page  flitting  by,  he 
said,  "Go  yonder  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh, 
and  say  that  the  King  desires  his  com- 
l^any. "  Then  turning  to  the  two  lords 
continued,  "We  will  celebrate  his  libera- 
tion from  our  not  too  hospitable  Tower." 

Rattling  dice,  clinking  glasses,  merry 
music,  laughter  and  jest  closed  the  memor- 
able day  of  Pocahontas's  presentation  at 
court. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

Pocahontas  was  sitting  at  the  latticed 
window  of  her  apartment  at  the  Mermaid 
Inn,  striving  to  pierce  the  thick  yellow  fog 
hanging  over  the  river.  Down  upon  the 
narrow  street  lighted  torches  flared  wildly 
in  the  hands  of  linkboys  conducting  some 
lady^s  sedan  chair  to  its  destination  in  the 
closing  evening.  Rolfe  was  playing  hide 
and  seek  among  the  chairs  and  tables  with 
his  little  son.  The  room  was  in  shadow 
except  for  the  ruddy  firelight  dancing  on 
the  walls. 

A  low  knock  sounded  upon  the  paneled 
door.  Putting  down  the  boy,  whom  he  had 
just  caught,  Rolfe  went  to  see  who  it  was. 

^'Is  the  Ladv  Rebecca  at  homeT' 
inquired  a  deep  manly  voice.  ^'If  so,  may 
an  old  friend  present  himself  1 ' ' 

^'The  Lady  Rebecca  will  be  glad  to  see 
any  one  who  calls  himself  friend,"  replied 
Rolfe.  ^^May  I  inquire  the  name  of  the 
guest  r '  ' 

"Captain  John  Smith,  who  knew  her  in 
Jamestown. ' ' 

Flinging  wide  the  door,  Rolfe  bade  him 
enter,    and    turning    to    Pocahontas    said, 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       187 

^^Wife,  a  friend  of  long  ago  comes  to  see 
you. ' ' 

Pocahontas  turned  from  the  window,  her 
eyes  filled  with  the  outside  gloom.  At  first 
she  could  not  see  the  visitor. 

^'Have  I  had  the  misfortune  to  pass  from 
your  memory,  madam  T'  said  Captain 
Smith  advancing  into  the  firelight. 

A  tremulous  cry  rang  through  the  room 
"My  father!  My  father!"  and  covering 
her  face  with  her  hands,  she  tottered  into 
a  chair.  A  long  silence— broken  only  by 
the  boy  prattling  to  a  King  Charles  spaniel 
—held  Smith  and  Rolfe  spellbound. 
Finally  she  raised  her  head  and  gazed  long 
on  the  face  of  Smith;  then  coming  up  to 
him  she  said  in  loving  accents,  ''Pocahon- 
tas has  her  father  again,  and  is  his  child 
once  more." 

''Nay,  Lady  Rebecca,  I  am  of  too  humble 
a  station  to  presume  to  be  on  familiar 
terms  with  a  princess.  You  must  not  call 
me  father,  and  I  am  not  permitted  to  call 
you  child." 

"You  did  promise  Powhatan  wbat  was 
yours  should  be  his,  and  he  the  like  to  you; 
you  called  him  father  being  in  his  land  a 
stranger,  and  by  the  same  reason,  so  must 
I  do  you,"  she  answered. 

You  are  well  aware  of  the  suspicious 


( i 


188       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

jealousy  of  the  King  and  Queen,  ^'  said 
Smith  to  Rolfe.  ''Try  to  make  her  under- 
stand the  situation." 

Eolfe  endeavored  to  explain  the  rigid 
decorum  of  the  King's  court  to  her; 
besides,  for  reasons  of  his  own,  he  was  not 
anxious  to  have  the  friendship  renewed. 

Unaccustomed  to  obey  the  whims  of  any 
monarch,  except  those  of  her  father,  her 
eyes  blazed  and  her  features  contracted. 
Smith  instinctively  stepped  back.  Before 
him  stood  not  the  gentle  Pocahontas,  but 
the  savage  Powhatan. 

Then  she  spoke  in  a  deep  voice  of  scorn- 
ful anger.  ^^Were  you  not  afraid  to  come 
into  my  father's  country  and  cause  fear  in 
him  and  all  his  people  but  me;  and  fear 
you  I  shall  call  you  father!"  Then  stamp- 
ing her  foot  she  cried,  ^'I  tell  you  I  will, 
and  you  shall  call  me  child,  and  so  I  will 
be  forever  and  ever  your  country-woman. ' ' 
Her  voice  broke  as  she  added,  ^'They  did 
tell  us  always  you  were  dead,  and  I  knew 
no  other  till  I  came  to  PhTnouth ;  yet  Pow- 
hatan did  commend  Vetamatominakin  te 
seek  you  and  know  the  truth,  because  your 
countrymen  will  lie  much. ' ' 

Smith  gently  put  her  oif  with  veiled 
words  and  turned  the  conversation  to  a  less 
painful  theme. 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare        189* 

"How  is  my  father  Powhatan,  and  what 
has  become  of  Opechancanough ?' ' 

Picking  up  the  little  boy,  he  petted  and 
fondled  him,  while  Pocahontas  gave  news 
of  her  tribe.  Seeing  his  tender  attentions 
to  her  boy,  she  calmed  down  into  the  gentle 
frank  maiden  he  had  known  so  well. 

After  an  hour's  conversation  he  took  his 
departure,  evading  deftly  a  promise  to  come 
again,  for  he  had  marked  the  look  in  Rolf e  's 
eyes  when  Pocahontas  had  called  him 
father. 

As  he  walked  away  he  said  to  himself, 
^  ^  I  must  not  endanger  their  wedded  bliss ' ' ; 
then  bitterly,  '^Jealousy  and  suspicion  dog 
my  lonely  footsteps  and  will  follow  me  to 
the  grave." 


CliAPTEK  XVlli 

A  year  of  court  life,  filled  with  a  contin- 
ual •  round  of  hunting,  masques,  theater- 
going and  dancing,  failed  to  dim  the 
brightness  of  the  wild  rose  of  the  west. 
Enjoying  what  was  noble  and  pure  with 
the  unspoiled  freshness  of  a  child,  the  Lady 
Rebecca's  eyes  passed  unseeingly  over  the 
coarse  and  degraded  elements  mingling 
with  the  good. 

Letters  from  Virginia  caused  Rolfe  to 
feel  some  uneasiness  regarding  the  affairs 
of  his  plantation.  He  must  return  home 
without  delay.  No  more  following  of  the 
hounds  in  the  vast  glades  of  Saint  James's 
Park,  or  in  the  spring,  floating  down  to 
Greenwich  through  a  cloud  of  swans. 
Pocahontas  must  sail  for  home  to  take  up 
again  plantation  life  at  Varina,  with  its 
round  of  duties  and  simple  pleasures. 

Sailing  down  the  Thames  to  Gravesend, 
she  looked  back  with  fond  regret  upon  the 
scenes  which  imagination  already  began  to 
paint  in  rose-colored  hues. 

When  thev  arrived  at  Gravesend  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Thames  Rolfe  noticed  that 
Pocahontas  looked  weary  and  jaded.     A 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       191 

hectic   flush   mantled   her   cheek   and   her 
hands  were  cold  as  ice. 

''What  ails  my  darling  1"  he  inquired 
anxiously. 

''Pocahontas's  head  is  heavy  and  her 
body  is  cold,"  she  languidly  replied. 

A  doctor  was  hastily  summoned.  He  bled 
her  profusely,  but  all  to  no  avail.  She  grew 
weaker  every  hour.  Delirium  set  in.  She 
was  back  in  Virginia  again,  roving  the 
forests,  visiting  Jamestown,  strolling  with 
Smith  beside  the  river  or  sitting  in  her 
cabin  playing  with  her  baby  boy. 

On  the  third  day  she  fell  into  a  deep 
slumber,  which  was  but  the  forerunner  of 
the  long  sleep  on  which  she  was  entering. 

"Surely  she  will  be  better  when  she 
awakens,''  said  Rolfe  to  the  physician.  All 
day  he  had  sat  by  her  side  holding  her  hand 
or  bathing  her  brow. 

"I  dare  not  deceive  you.  Master  Eolfe. 
She  is  sinking  rapidly.  She  will  awaken  to 
consciousness  but  it  will  be  but  the  flaring 
of  the  candle,  now  burnt  low  in  the  socket. ' ' 

Late  in  the  afternoon  she  opened  her 
eyes,  and  feeling  for  her  husband's  hand, 
whispered,  "John,  where  are  you!  It  is 
so  dark— the  cold  water  is  lapping  on  my 
feet. ' ' 

' '  Tell  her,  Master  Eolfe.    She  must  know 


192       The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

her  condition,"  said  the  rector  of  Saint 
George  ^s,  who  was  standing  at  the  foot  of 
the  bed. 

^^I  cannot,"  said  Rolfe,  his  voice  break- 
ing into  hoarse  sobs  as  he  flung  himself 
down  beside  the  bed. 

Bending  over  her,  the  priest  gently  told 
her  of  her  approaching  end. 

''John,  John,  must  Pocahontas  leave  you 
and  the  boy'/    It  is  so  hard  to  part,  John." 

''0  my  darling,  I  cannot  give  you  up!" 
cried  Kolfe,  kissing  her  brow,  damp  with 
the  dews  of  death. 

But  womanlike,  she  put  aside  her  pain 
to  comfort  her  stricken  husband. 

' '  It  is  the  will  of  the  Eoyal  Christ,  John. 
Pocahontas  is  not  afraid.  He  will  comfort 
you  and  care  for  my  babe.  Does  He  not 
carry  the  little  lambs  in  His  bosom?  Now 
let  the  kind  priest  give  us  the  Body  and 
Blood  of  the  Lord." 

She  lay  silent  for  a  while,  exliausted  by 
the  effort  to  follow  the  priest  through  the 
Communion  Service.  Then  she  said,  ' '  Sing 
about  the  birthnight  of  the  Son  of  God, 
John.  Pocahontas  can  hear  the  angels^ 
wings. ' ' 

Rolfe  attempted  to  sing  the  ancient  hjTQn, 
but  could  not  go  on. 

''Then  Pocahontas  will  sing  for  John." 


The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare       19*3 

Gathering  her  fast  ebbing  strength  with 
a  mighty  effort,  her  voice  rang  clear  and 
sweet  through  the  twilight.  Strong  and 
exultant  came  the  last  verse : 

"For  lo!   the  days  are  hastening  on, 

By  prophets   seen  of  old, 
When  with  the  evercircling  years 

Shall    come   the   time   foretold, 
When  the  new  heaven   and  earth  shall  own 

The  Prince  of  Peace  their  King, 
And  the  whole  world  send  back  the  song 

Which  now   the  angels  sing." 

And  the  **Amen"  at  its  close,  begun  on 
earth  and  ending  in  heaven,  swept  across 
the  glassy  sea  and  broke  in  melting  sweet- 
ness at  the  feet  of  the  Lamb  of  God. 

Through  the  bitter  winds  of  March 
passed  the  funeral  procession,  clad  in 
trappings  of  woe,  to  Saint  George's 
Church.  The  burial  psalms  were  chanted, 
the  prayer  of  committal  said.  All  that  was 
mortal  of  Pocahontas,  daughter  of  Powha- 
tan, King  of  Virginia,  was  laid  to  rest  in 
the  rector 's  vault  underneath  the  chancel. 

The  broad  leaves  of  the  church  door 
swung  to  behind  the  departing  mourners. 
The  pulsating  silence  of  the  ages  settled 
down  upon  the  chancel. 

Suddenly  and  noiselessly  the  nave  filled 
with  floating  white-robed  angels,  the  ever- 


194      The  Daughter  of  Virginia  Dare 

present  congregation  of  ministering  spirits. 
Gabriel,  Announcer  of  Tidings,  stood 
before  the  altar  and  in  a  voice  of  heavenly 
music,  heard  only  by  immortal  ears,  pro- 
claimed the  glad  tidings : 

'^The    Spirit    of    Virginia    Bare    has 
Returned  to  the  Land  of  Her  Fathers!** 


I 


